Dunedin residents could lose Saturday library hours, access to the city's aquatic complex and all municipal music programs under a contingency plan the city published Oct. 28.

The FY2027 Contingency Plan targets approximately $3 million in cuts starting Jan. 1, 2027. It is the city's first step in preparing for estimated revenue losses of $4.7 million in fiscal year 2028 and $7.6 million beginning in fiscal year 2029, according to the city's published outline.

Those losses stem from Amendment 3 on the Nov. 3 ballot, which would increase the homestead exemption on non-school taxes. According to budget workshop records from Aug. 4, the exemption would rise to $150,000 in FY2028, costing Dunedin about $4 million in ad valorem revenue. It would jump to $250,000 in FY2029, producing a $6 million annual loss in property tax revenue alone.

Additional losses from county library cooperative, fire protection and EMS revenue bring the totals to roughly $4.76 million in the first year and $7.63 million each year after, according to figures Finance Director Les Tyler presented at the Aug. 4 budget workshop.

No cuts have been approved yet. The City Commission will review the plan in greater detail at a special meeting in mid-to-late November, according to the city. A specific date has not been announced.

What's on the chopping block

The proposed January 2027 cuts span parks, libraries, public works and community programs. Among the largest:

  • Temporary aquatic complex closure — saving $528,520
  • Saturday library closure and elimination of 4.2 full-time positions — saving $334,950
  • Reduced repair and maintenance for outdoor restrooms and athletic fields — saving $223,500
  • Contractual services for city events cut, with special events shifted to sponsors or dropped — saving $178,250
  • Streets department loses two full-time employees, ending utilities road and sidewalk cuts and traffic maintenance for special events — saving $162,000
  • Facilities staff cut by two full-time positions — saving $121,830
  • Music programs eliminated, including band, chorus and summer camps — saving $109,000
  • Aid to Organization grants for nonprofits cut 50%, with potential full elimination in FY2028 — saving $104,250
  • Solar Rebate Program eliminated — saving $50,000

The city also plans to eliminate its public-access cable channel, saving $18,600, and reduce its Resiliency and Sustainability Rebate Program by $20,000.

Cuts come either way

The plan moves forward regardless of the Nov. 3 vote, but the pace changes. If Amendment 3 passes, all identified reductions take full effect Jan. 1, 2027, according to the Aug. 4 budget workshop minutes. If it fails, the city still implements the plan at a slower pace through attrition, with no layoffs.

City Manager Jennifer Bramley told commissioners at the July 21 budget workshop that staff would place the plan before the commission to execute immediately if the referendum passes. The city cannot adopt two separate budgets, according to the workshop discussion. The contingency plan would come as a budget amendment effective Jan. 1.

Mayor Maureen Freaney pressed at the Aug. 4 workshop for the full scope of cuts to be communicated publicly. She expressed concern about the $7.6 million reduction and said the additional $4.6 million in future cuts beyond the initial $3 million would have significantly increased impacts, according to the meeting record.

Deeper cuts ahead

The first-year cuts target quality-of-life services, according to the city's plan. Deeper reductions that could affect public safety may follow in year two.

Future cuts under consideration include reducing services from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) Community Policing Office program, eliminating the Clearwater Ferry service between Dunedin and Clearwater, closing or limiting athletic fields, and ending the Santa Fire Truck neighborhood program.

The City Commission special meeting to review the contingency plan in detail is expected in mid-to-late November. Residents can follow the city's DunediNews newsletter and social media channels for the meeting date.