Leaders to Discuss Drop In Penny for Pinellas Funds, Term Limits

Term limits and taxes will highlight the Dunedin City Commission meeting this evening. The gavel is expected to sound at 6:30 p.m. at city call.

The commission will offer its second reading for public comment an amendment to the city charter to impose terms limits on both the mayor's office as well as city commission seats. The proposal is to limit those city officials to two full four-year terms.

Like all over communities in Florida, Dunedin is not alone in seeing its revenue decrease since the national economy turn a downward spiral beginning last decade.

One of the areas that Dunedin has seen less income is the Penny for Pinellas fund, a countywide one-cent sales tax which funds various capital programs, mostly road projects but also parks and community centers in addition to public safety measures.

Given the decrease in the tax revenue to Dunedin (as well as other communities), the commission is expected to review the many projects in the city that have been funded by revenue from the tax. The commission is expected to review if some projects may see cuts or if additional monies could be placed with what the commission may deem to be more important areas.

The commission is also expected to debate selling some 20 different parcels of land that is currently city-owned property. Not only would the sale of the real estate bring monies to the general fund, the city currently does not receive any taxable income from the parcels. Once the land is sold, the city can begin collecting taxes on the land on an annual basis.