Mayor and Commission

2024 State of the City Highlights Achievements and Future Vision

More than 175 people attended the City of Dunedin’s 2024 State of the City, Thursday evening February 29, at the new City Hall.

Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski and City Manager Jennifer K. Bramley highlighted 2023 initiatives and outlined the City’s strategic vision and areas of focus for the future aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents, businesses and those who visit Dunedin.

“We are excited to present to you important updates in our strategic areas of focus as well as an overview of our financial position,” said Bramley. “We hope you leave here today informed, inspired and confident in our future.”

“As you can see the State of our City is strong and we are very proud of the work we do,” said Bujalski. “But, what we are most proud of is you – our community of residents, businesses, city employees, and visitors. And together we will imagine what is next.”

Some important announcements and updates include:

• A new online Permit Portal recently launched creating efficiencies and convenience by allowing applicants to manage permits, licensing, inspection online.
• Bramley presented the “strongest financial position the City of Dunedin has been in for a very long time,” citing significant revenue growth the past two years (9%), while lower than budgeted expenditures. And S&P Global credits ratings is AA+  - strong and stable.
• The 2024 Citizen Survey will be available to residents in late March. The survey is important to measure quality of life and priorities for citizen.
• Plans for a new Aquatic Complex, restoration of the Dunedin Golf Club, a Marina Master Plan, new downtown park at the site of the old City Hall and Phase 2 for the Gladys Douglas Preserve were presented.
• Alternative modes of transportation, investments in infrastructure, downtown revitalization, the economic impact of tourism, which saw a 5.5% growth in Dunedin during 2023.
• Resiliency plans/opportunities and environmental challenges from sea level rise, tidal flooding, storm surge and stronger hurricanes to our area creating coastal flooding is a priority area of future focus.
• The purchase of an Ultimate Bagger – Sand Bag Machine which will be used to support residents in preparation for future storms, and will be available at the City’s Hurricane Expo on May 23 at City Hall.

Mayor Bujalski made a special Key to the City presentation to former Mayor Manny Koutsourais. Koutsourais served as mayor from March 1988 – March 1994.

Mayor Bujalski said this State of the City marks Dunedin’s 125^th anniversary which will be celebrated in June, and her last as Dunedin’s Mayor. Bujalski has served as Mayor for 18 years as her term ends this November.

State of the City video presentation
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
727-298-3006

Email the Entire Commission

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Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski
Vice Mayor Maureen "Moe" Freaney
Commissioner John Tornga
Commissioner Jeff Gow
Commissioner Robert Walker

Email Mayor Bujalski

Julie Ward Bujalski was elected to the Dunedin City Commission in April 2006, served two peer appointed terms as Vice Mayor, and was elected three times as Mayor, beginning in November 2014.

Julie comes from generations of family who have lived in Dunedin since the 1950’s, where they owned a downtown business, served in civic organizations, worked in law enforcement and volunteered for the betterment of their community.

Growing up in Dunedin, Julie attended Ms. Honald’s Dunedin Day School, Dunedin Elementary, Dunedin Highland Middle and Dunedin High School. She went on to study business at ITT Technical Institute and Fashion Merchandising at St. Petersburg College. She is a graduate of the Leadership Pinellas class of 2009, the Florida League of Cities Institute of Elected Municipal Officials I, II and III and has taken multiple classes through the National League of Cities Leadership Training program.

Julie spent 20 years in the Fashion Merchandising industry where she worked as a buyer, product developer, merchandise manager and retired from her career as an economic forecaster/planner. During this time she mastered her skills in understanding Florida’s seasonal economy, tourism cycles, marketing, visitor/resident buying habits, as well as forecasting and budget analysis.

During her time as a Commissioner (8 years), Julie served as Dunedin’s liaison to:

• Dunedin Golf Club
• Highland Games Committee and Scottish Culture
• Pinellas County Schools – Principal’s Advisory Committee, School Transportation Safety Committee and School Collaborative
• Florida League of Cities Legislative Committees
• National League of Cities Inclusion Partnership and Small Cities Council
• Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) – Advisory Committee on Pinellas Transit (ACPT), Planning Committee Chair, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board Member, Pinellas Planning Council (PPC) Board Member and Pinellas Trail Safety Task Force

During her time as Mayor (7 years), Julie has served as Dunedin’s liaison to:

• Current Board Member of the Tourist Development Council
• Current Board Member of Forward Pinellas/Pinellas Planning Council & MPO
• Past Chair of the Mayors’ Council of Pinellas County
• Past Liaison to the Toronto Blue Jay
• Past Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Vice Chair – Executive Committee Member, Personnel Committee Member and Forward Pinellas Board Member
• Past Member of the Pinellas County EMS Advisory Council (Mayors’ Council Appointee)

Julie has been married to her husband Tom for 32 years. Their son, Thomas, has an AA degree from Sante Fe College in Gainesville and is currently attending the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. His major is Sports Management. Julie has volunteered in her son’s schools as a member of the School Advisory Council (SAC), Vice President of Legislation for the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and President of the Falcon's Wrestling Booster Club. Additionally, Julie and Tom, both as proud parents and volunteers, have been a part of Dunedin Stirling Soccer Club, Dunedin Junior Falcons Football and Greater Dunedin Little League. They are lifetime members of the Dunedin Boat Club and when they find a minute to spare, they spend their time boating on St. Joseph Sound and camping in Florida’s State Parks.

Email Vice Mayor Freaney

Maureen “Moe” Freaney was elected to the Dunedin City Commission in November 2016 and has lived in Dunedin since 1984. She currently works as a management consultant. Prior to this she had over 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:

• Toronto Blue Jays (current)
• Dunedin Cares
• Dunedin Historical Museum (2017, 2018, 2019)
• Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (currently Vice Chair), including member of the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition Steering Committee (current)

In addition 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 Vice Mayor.

Email Commissioner Tornga

John’s background and experience includes a BA in Economics from Calvin University. Upon graduation, John was commissioned as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps where he served in various positions including as a Company Commander in Vietnam.

Following his U.S. Marine Corps active service, John attended Michigan State University where he received an MBA in Business and met Debra, his wife. John’s business career began with AMF Inc., a Fortune 100 company. John held various positions including Vice President of Marketing and Sales, AMF Head Ski and Tennis and Vice President of AMF Head, Europe, where they lived in Austria for 5 years and where their children, Rory and Travis, were born.

John has served in several positions in other companies including the Vice President of Business Development for a computer simulation company, a Chief Operating Officer and a Vice President of Sales and Marketing for a medical equipment company.

In 1990 John and Deb moved to Dunedin, FL where John was a Founder and President of Capital Data Consulting Inc., providing contracting computer programmers to various clients, including manufacturing companies and banks in the US.

As it relates to serving as a Dunedin Commissioner, John was elected and served as a Commissioner from 2014 – 2018. As a Dunedin Commissioner John served as Dunedin’s representative on Forward Pinellas, previously the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Pinellas Planning Council (PPC). He was appointed by Forward Pinellas to serve as their representative on the Tampa Bay’s Transportation Management Area Leadership Group representing Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco County’s. He also served as their representative on the Pinellas Trail Security Trask Force. John served as Dunedin’s representative on Pinellas County PSTA Board, where he served on their Planning Committee and their Legislative Committee. He served on the Florida League of Cities Transportation and Intergovernmental Relations Policy Committee. John has also served as Dunedin’s Commission liaison to the Dunedin Golf Club. John played a significant role in ensuring that the Sheriff’s Office remained in Dunedin, and in the formation of the US Military Veterans Committee.

John has served on various Dunedin Boards and Committees including as the Chair of the Board of Finance, the Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee, Chair of the Waterfront Task Force, the Dunedin Council of Organizations and on the Safety Committee. Additionally, John currently serves as the President of the Spanish Trails Home Owners Association, and as their Chair of the Neighborhood Watch. John is a long time active member of the Dunedin United Methodist Church.

John is active in several organizations. He is a Lifetime Member of the Dunedin Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), a member of the Dunedin American Legion, the Military Officer’s Association of Pinellas, a Board member and Officer of Honor Flight and a long-time member of the Dunedin Boat Club. He is a lifetime-member of the Friends of the Library, a member of Dunedin Fine Arts Center, the Dunedin Museum and as a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Dunedin North. Other organizations that John has been a member include the Optimist Club, the Elks Club and the US Military Vets Motorcycle Club.

When free time is available, John and Deb may be found on their boat, Semper Fi, which is docked in the Dunedin Marina, enjoying boating in the Gulf of Florida or the Dunedin Sound, usually close to one of our Dunedin Islands.

Email Commissioner Gow

Jeff Gow was elected City of Dunedin Commissioner in 2018. 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 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 to have raised both daughters in Dunedin.

As a Commissioner, Jeff represents Dunedin and the residents on the following City and County Boards: He is the liaison to the Dunedin Golf Club where he attends Board meetings and reports back to the Commission on club activities. 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 attends a principal’s meeting where school events and student achievements are discussed. His goal is to elevate and promote the schools in our community. He is also a proud board member of Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), the county’s public transit organization. Traffic in Dunedin and throughout the county and region is one of the major challenges facing residents today. As the county’s public transit organization, they focus on public transit throughout the county and region partnering with other transit organizations when mutual interests are needed to reach common goals. As part of PSTA he also is a member of three subcommittees, the Legislative Committee, Nominating Committee and serves as an alternate on the Finance Committee. The Legislative Committee follows legislation on the state and national level and communicates with Members of Congress on pieces of legislation impacting public transit. The Finance Committee reviews the monthly financials as well as annual budgets to ensure a strong financial standing of the organization. The Nominating meets annually to discuss the placement of board members on the many PSTA subcommittees.

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.