Dunedin commission backs Boat Club LOI, adopts 10% marina fee increase and renews sheriff contract

The Dunedin City Commission on Sept. 4 approved a letter of intent to site a new Dunedin Boat Club and Sailing Center on the club's historic peninsula location, adopted a resolution raising marina user fees by 10% effective Oct. 1, 2025, and renewed the annual contract addendum with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for $6,134,860 for fiscal year 2026.

City staff told the commission the boat club facility would be a multiuse, city-owned building operated day-to-day by the boat club and partner organizations. "This facility will be a multiuse facility. It will be a city-owned building in the home of Dunedin Boat Club, Dunedin Youth Sailing Association, sailability, Greater Tampa Bay and other organizations," city staff said during the presentation, describing a fundraising model that would route donor dollars through the Pinellas Community Foundation and give the club three years to raise funds with a commission-approved one-year extension option.

Deputy City Manager Jorge Quintas and other staff said the planned agreement includes a city contribution of $100,000 to construct a public restroom on the peninsula and requires city review of final plans. After brief commissioner questioning about alternative sites, QA/QC review and fundraising timelines, the commission voted by voice and approved the letter of intent unanimously. Public commenter Claudia Nabel, a boat club member, told commissioners they had explored alternatives before settling on the peninsula: "We did. Unfortunately, there were no places around," she said, urging the commission to move forward.

On the marina fees, Finance Director Les Tyler and Harbor Master Lori Ferguson framed the increase as part of a multiyear rate plan developed after a 2022 rate study. "This item is a recommendation to increase the marina slip winter user fees by 10% effective 10/01/2025," Tyler said. Staff told the commission the schedule had anticipated a series of incremental increases; they also said FEMA reimbursements and a recent $1.5 million state appropriation for repairs could reduce future increases to nearer 7% in later years, though that depends on receiving those external funds.

Commissioners asked about advisory-committee input, enforcement for nonpayment and how slip rates were calculated; staff said the marine advisory committee had been briefed and that the rates mix a fixed component and a square-footage component across slip sizes. The commission adopted Resolution 25-29 by roll call vote.

The commission also approved renewal of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office FY26 addendum for $6,134,860, a 7.44% increase over last year. Theresa Smalling, director of HR and risk management, summarized staffing included in the addendum (five community policing deputies, two traffic deputies, an extra school crossing guard in South Dunedin) and an allocation for 680 secondary employment hours to cover special events. "There is a 7.44 overall increase over last year," Smalling said. Commissioners asked about response metrics, coverage and cost drivers before adopting the addendum by roll call.

Other actions: the commission adopted Ordinance 25-06 establishing the commission's annual salaries (mayor $19,100; commissioners $15,600), and approved the reappointment of Commissioner Walker to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority board for a three-year term beginning Oct. 1, 2025. Two land-development items related to historic preservation (Ordinance 25-02 and Resolution 20513) were continued to Oct. 9 so the Florida Department of State Historic Resources Division can review and the commission can hold a full presentation and public input.

Votes at a glance

- Letter of intent, Dunedin Boat Club and Sailing Center: approved by voice vote (unanimous). City to contribute $100,000 toward a public restroom and give the club a three-year fundraising window with an optional one-year extension subject to commission approval.

- Resolution 25-29 (Marina user fees): approved by roll call (unanimous); 10% increase in marina slip/winter fees effective Oct. 1, 2025; staff projects lower increases in later years if FEMA and grant funding are received.

- Ordinance 25-06 (City Commission salaries): adopted on second reading by roll call (unanimous); mayor salary listed in staff presentation as $19,100 and commissioners $15,600 (memo said changes memorialize pay in the FY25 pay plan).

- Pinellas County Sheriff FY26 addendum (law enforcement services): adopted by roll call (unanimous); contract addendum amount $6,134,860 for FY26, includes five community policing deputies, traffic deputies, and funding for Safe Harbor diversion program.

- PSTA appointment: Commissioner Walker reappointed for a three-year term starting Oct. 1, 2025 (unanimous).

What comes next

- The boat club may proceed with fundraising through the Pinellas Community Foundation and return with final designs and agreements for city review. The historic-preservation ordinance and associated certificate-of-appropriateness resolution will be heard at the Oct. 9 commission meeting after state review.

(Quotes and attributions are taken from the Sept. 4, 2025 Dunedin City Commission meeting transcript.)