Dunedin survey: strong individual job satisfaction but staff perceive lower overall morale, report finds

City of Dunedin leaders received results of the 2025 employee experience survey at a June 3 commission workshop, where Human Resources Director Theresa Smalling and consultant Dr. Steven Neely of Ford Analytics summarized findings from a survey that ran March 4–25 and drew a 45% response rate.

The survey found high individual satisfaction — employees strongly reported pride in their work and a sense that their jobs contribute to the city’s mission — but also a gap between individuals’ experiences and what they perceive in their peers. That contrast, plus concerns about cross‑department communication and visible accountability, were the main areas officials said they would address first.

Dr. Steven Neely, the consultant who analyzed the results, told commissioners, “We were able to get a good response rate on the survey of 45%,” and described a notable pattern: “Individual employee experiences are good, but they're not seeing that among their peers.” He said the finding likely reflects perceptions…