City Commission Workshop Meeting September 1, 2026

The City of Dunedin held a City Commission Workshop Meeting on September 1, 2026, which primarily featured presentations and discussions rather than formal motions or votes. Key procurement-related topics included a detailed presentation by Whit Lanton, Executive Director of Forward Peninsulas, on the proposed merger of three metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) serving the Tampa Bay area. The discussion covered governance structure changes, potential impacts on Dunedin's representation, and funding allocation for regional transportation projects. The merger aims to create a more unified regional MPO to better compete for state and federal transportation grants, with a proposed 25-member board including rotating seats for smaller cities like Dunedin. Additionally, the meeting included a legislative update highlighting recent state budget appropriations totaling $4.7 million for local projects, impacts of new state laws on city operations, and potential costs related to compliance with transparency and DEI legislation. The city also reviewed its strategic plan dashboard, emphasizing data tracking and public transparency for ongoing initiatives. No formal procurement decisions or contract awards were made during this workshop meeting.