2025 State of the City: Dunedin Strong

More than 200 people attended the City of Dunedin’s 2025 State of the City on Thursday, February 27, at City Hall, where Mayor Maureen “Moe” Freaney and City Manager Jennifer K. Bramley highlighted 2024 initiatives and outlined the City’s strategic vision for 2025 and beyond.

“Despite the destruction and interruptions from Helene and Milton, our community came together in the face of adversity to lift up and support each other,” said Mayor Freaney. “And that continues today as we rebuild and recover. We are Dunedin Strong.”

The total estimated cost of storm damage citywide is $24 million. Residents were shown a breakdown of the reimbursement totals during the presentation:

Debris Removal Costs: $4.9 million

• Expected to be 100% reimbursable by FEMA.
• The City has already received $2.4 million from FEMA as an expedited payment.

Remaining Costs: $19.1 million

• 75% reimbursed by FEMA.
• 12.5% reimbursed by the State of Florida.
• 12.5% covered by the City, equating to $2.3 million.

Bramley credited Dunedin’s general reserve, which exceeds its 15% target, as a valuable resource in the storm’s aftermath.

“Over the years, we’ve been working to increase our reserves—our rainy-day fund. We found out just how important it was to have a healthy reserve this past year,” said Bramley. “With our strong fund balance in the General Fund and other City funds, we had some flexibility in how we paid for storm-related repairs.”

Other important announcements and updates included:

• Dunedin Marina restoration remains a top priority for 2025. The City Commission approved the replacement of all marina shore power pedestals, which house utilities for docked boats. It also approved the staff-recommended stabilization plan for the docks, with June set as the estimated completion date. Afterward, slip renters will be able to return to the marina for recreational use upon completion and approval of an updated User Agreement application.
• The City’s Vulnerability Assessment, a two-year-long project, continues. The City will seek grant funding through the state for Phase Two of the project, which includes the creation of an adaptation plan. Updates on the project, as well as marina restoration updates, will be shared during Commission meetings and other public engagement opportunities as new details become available.
• The former City Hall site is set to become a pocket park. Since its demolition in 2023, staff have been working with architects on the plans, which will add a natural outdoor space to the City’s more than 350 acres of greenspace. The park will feature a brick plaza, lighting, landscaping, and a plan for future restrooms.
• Parks & Recreation projects continue to enhance residents' quality of life. The Highlander Park Aquatic Complex master plan is now under design and will include several new amenities, including a competitive pool, an activity pool with zero-depth entry, a therapeutic pool, and two large slides.

Mayor Freaney made a special presentation honoring former Mayor Tom Anderson. Anderson, who also served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 to 2010, was Dunedin’s mayor from 1994 to 2002. Before that, he served as a City Commissioner from 1990 to 1994.

2025 State of the City
Opening Video
Closing Video

A Community Partnership between the City Government and its Residents, Dedicated to Quality Service to Effectively, Efficiently and Equitably enhance the Quality of Life in Dunedin.

Foresight and sound masterful planning have made Dunedin one of the few full-service communities in Pinellas County. The city operates under a non-partisan Commission/Manager form of government. Four Commissioners and a Mayor are elected by the registered voters of Dunedin under a staggered system that ensures that the city will have a degree of experience serving on the Commission at all times. The Chief Executive Officer, currently the City Manager, oversees all eight City departments and the annual budget.

Commission Meetings are held at City Hall, 737 Louden Avenue, at 6:00 pm on the first and third Thursdays of every month, unless otherwise scheduled. Updated meeting times can be found on the Government Calendar. Commission meetings are broadcast live or can be viewed on demand.

Our Mayor and Commissioners serve on County and Regional Boards and Committees, adding our viewpoint to transportation, housing, and other important issues. Many of these meetings can be seen on the Pinellas County Connection TV channel, find the TV schedule on their website.

Current City Commission for the City of Dunedin
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Mayor Maureen "Moe" Freaney
Commissioner Jeff Gow
Commissioner Robert Walker
Commissioner Tom Dugard
Commissioner Steven Sandbergen

Email Mayor Freaney

Maureen “Moe” Freaney was elected to the Dunedin City Commission in November 2016 and has lived in Dunedin since 1984. She was elected as Mayor in November 2024.

She currently works as a management consultant and has more than 31 years of professional and government experience. She has been an Assistant City Manager for Dunedin, an Assistant County Administrator (overseeing areas such as Countywide EMS, 911 Center, Convention and Businesses Bureau, Economic Development, etc.), Director of Pinellas County Health and Human Services (including Veterans Services) and Director of Pinellas County Animal Services to name just a few of her professional experiences.

Moe is a graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Studies and a Master of Business Administration degree from Kent State. In addition, she holds an Associate in Risk Management designation from the Insurance Institute of America. Moe currently serves on the Dunedin Fine Arts Center Advisory Board, Mease Life Community Advisory Board, and Morton Plant Mease Clinical Excellence Committee.

She is a member of The Dunedin Fine Arts Center and Dunedin Historical Museum. She is also a lifetime member of the VFW 2550 Auxiliary, Dunedin Friends of the Library and Friends of Island Parks. She is a graduate of Leadership Pinellas (2003) and Tampa Bay Partnership’s CEO Direct Program (2009).

During Moe’s time as Commissioner, she has served as Dunedin’s liaison to:

• Forward Pinellas (present)
• Mayor’s Council of Pinellas County (present)
• Toronto Blue Jays (2018 – 2024)
• Dunedin Cares (2017 – 2019)
• Dunedin Historical Museum (2017 - 2019)
• Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (currently Chair), including member of the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition Steering Committee (current)

Moe has formerly served as Board Member and President of the Dunedin Council of Organizations; Board Member and Chair of Mease Manor Retirement Community; longtime Music Leader / Contemporary Group at Our Lady of Lourdes Church; Chair of the Dunedin Police Study Task Force and the Dunedin Centennial Committee.

In her spare time, Moe enjoys fitness, singing and puppetry. Moe is a proud Dunedin resident. She is honored to serve this community as Mayor.

Email Vice Mayor Gow

Jeff Gow was elected City of Dunedin Commissioner in 2018 and currently serves as the Vice Mayor. He was born and raised in Dunedin graduating from San Jose Elementary, Dunedin Highland Middle School, and Dunedin High School. He received his A.A. degree from St. Petersburg College (St. Petersburg Junior College at the time) and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Florida State University. He currently works in Accounting at Pinellas County Transit Association (PSTA).

He has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry including CEO of Marion County Credit Union. He served on the Board of Directors of Dunedin Stirling Soccer Club holding positions of Treasurer and President. He volunteered many years serving on the Board of Directors of the Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation holding the position as Director of Scottish Athletics. He has been married for 30 years to his wife Carin and has 2 children, Lindsey and Chelsea. He is proud of where he lives and has raised both daughters in Dunedin.

As Vice Mayor, Jeff represents Dunedin and the residents on the following City and County Boards: He is the liaison for our Scottish Arts and Culture where he champions Dunedin’s history. As liaison, he brings identified issues back to the Commission for discussion. He is also liaison to Dunedin’s Schools. Meeting with the schools individually as well as attending a principal’s meeting where school events and student achievements are discussed. His goal is to elevate and promote the schools in our community.

Email Commissioner Walker

Robert “Rob” Walker was elected to the Dunedin City Commission in November 2022. Rob is the owner/operator of a Florida-based, veteran-owned small business that provides business to business management consulting to defense, aerospace and biotechnology companies.

Rob grew up in Alaska where he developed a strong passion for the outdoors and protecting our environment through the influence of his dad Bob Walker, and spending time fishing and camping in the Alaskan wilderness. Rob has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of the Pacific, a Master of Science in Chemistry and a Master in Business Administration from San Diego State University.

Rob is a Navy veteran having served on Active Duty and the US Naval Reserves for a combined total of 33 years. Having achieved the rank of Commander, Rob is a graduate of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and subsequently earned his “dolphins” upon qualification as a Submarine Warfare Officer. Rob served in numerous leadership positions on nuclear powered, fast attack submarines and carrier strike force platforms which were deployed all over the world in support of National Security Objectives.

Rob is a recognized community leader having served on several community and academic boards and is passionate about being a true steward of the community. Rob is a member of the Dunedin Boat Club and the Dunedin North Rotary Club. Other community affiliations include membership in the Elks Club and lifetime member of the VFW. Additionally, Rob is a USCG licensed captain with the Caladesi Connection Ferry serving Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands where he has worked closely with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida State Parks to advocate for safe boat operation and environmental protection of Honeymoon and Caladesi Island state parks.

Rob strongly believes that we all have a responsibility to serve our community. Additional service organizations, interests and accomplishments include:

• Dunedin Fine Arts Patron and Stirling Society Member
• Dunedin History Museum Member
• Dunedin Chamber of Commerce Member
• Elks Lodge Dunedin #1525

Rob and his wife Claudia met is San Diego, CA in 2002 on a blind date. In February of 2022, Rob and Claudia applied for and received Dunedin Historical Designation on their 1930 Florida Bungalow located in the historic neighborhood of Belle Terre on Garden Circle North. Rob has two children, Brian and Molly.

In their free time, Rob and Claudia enjoy spending time on their boat Blind Date.

Email Tom Dugard

Tom Dugard was elected to Dunedin City Commission Seat 1 in November 2024.

Tom’s official name is William Thomas Dugard, Jr.  but he is known as “Tom” to his family and friends in the community.

Currently Tom is the owner and CEO of Affirmational Leadership Consulting, LLC. He incorporated ALC in 2008 and has served clients in Kansas City, the Tampa region and Washington DC.  Prior to ALC, Tom was the CEO of the United Way of Greater Kansas City, the Triangle United in Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill North Carolina. Tom served as an executive for five United Ways across the Country.

Since arriving in Dunedin in 2015, Tom has been a member and President of the Rotary Club of Dunedin, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Island Parks, and the Dunedin History Museum.

Tom has facilitated strategic plans for Dunedin Cares, the Dunedin Fine Arts Center, the Dunedin Golf Club, 211 Tampa Bay Cares, Friends of the Island Parks and the Pinellas Suncoast Alliance for First Responders (SAFR).

Tom and his wife Lana have two children, Tamara and Trey. Tamara resides near Tumbridge Well, England and Trey lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Tom plays tennis when time permits, and he cycles the Pinellas Trail every week.

As a member of the golf cart community, he served on the original planning and mapping committee which established current cart usage areas.  He also served as the first President of Greater Dunedin Little League, overseeing nearly 400 boys and girls.          

When he first arrived in Dunedin, Steve spent time with his grandmother in Lake Haven Mobile Home Park. Today he is a resident of Glencairn in beautiful downtown Dunedin. As he has said "I live in Dunedin, I eat in Dunedin, I play in Dunedin, and Dunedin will always be home".