Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Dunedin City Commission Election 2026

1 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 1

2 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Commissioner Seat 4 · 1 seat

Janice C. BennettFlorida-licensed professional engineer since 1992 with 25-plus years of local-government service. She has lived in Dunedin since 1998.4sourced
Mark A. OssianAttorney and certified public accountant with over 40 years in private practice. He grew up in Dunedin and graduated from Dunedin High School.5sourced

Each commissioner is elected to a numbered seat; the Seat 4 contest is the only one with more than one candidate.

1 note on these statements

Janice C. Bennett and Mark A. Ossian were both listed among the candidates at the October 1, 2026 City & County Candidate Forum. City of Dunedin · Oct 2, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Tom DugardCommissioner, Seat 1; elected November 20243sourced Maureen "Moe" FreaneyMayor; elected November 20243sourced Steven SandbergenCommissioner, Seat 3; elected November 20243sourced Robert WalkerDunedin vice mayor and owner of a veteran-owned management consulting business.2sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesProperty taxes and Amendment 3, Fire protection special assessment, Marina and storm recovery Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Registration books close (5 p.m.)

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Property taxes and Amendment 3

Where it standsThe commission kept the millage rate at 4.1345 mills for FY 2027 and reviewed a contingency plan that applies if Amendment 3 passes in November.

What's on the tableHow the city responds if Amendment 3 passes, including which services are reduced or funded another way.

The commission adopted the FY 2027 budget, nearly $139 million, and a final millage rate of 4.1345 mills on September 17, 2026. City of Dunedin · Sep 21, 2026
The city projects Amendment 3 would reduce revenue by $4.7 million in FY 2028 and $7.6 million in FY 2029 and onward. City of Dunedin · Sep 21, 2026
Potential savings measures in the contingency plan include closing Highlander Pool and reducing the number of fire personnel per shift. City of Dunedin · Sep 21, 2026

Fire protection special assessment

Where it standsThe commission approved a request for proposals for a consultant to study a fire protection special assessment; no assessment has been adopted.

What's on the tableWhether to move forward with a fire protection special assessment after the study.

On July 9, 2026 the City Commission approved the RFP for a fire protection special assessment to be advertised. Engage Dunedin
The study's phase two, including implementation help, depends on further Commission approval. Engage Dunedin

Marina and storm recovery

Where it standsMarina pier and seawall construction was under way in early 2026, with pier construction expected to finish by the end of 2026.

What's on the tableRemaining marina and pier repair decisions and how the city prepares for future storms.

The City Commission awarded the new pier contract to On-Point Contracting Company at its January 8, 2026 meeting. DunediNEWS, January 15, 2026 · Jan 15, 2026
The City Commission awarded the north seawall repair contract to BDI Marine in July, and construction began in October (per a January 2026 city bulletin). DunediNEWS, January 15, 2026 · Jan 15, 2026

Dunedin Causeway launch ban

Where it standsThe commission voted to ban launching motorized watercraft from the south side of the Dunedin Causeway.

What's on the tableEnforcement and any later changes to Causeway use.

The commission passed first reading of Ordinance 26-08 on July 23, 2026, 4-0. Dunedin City Commission minutes, July 23, 2026 · Jul 23, 2026
FOX 13 reported the commission voted unanimously 5-0 on the ban at a Thursday meeting in early September 2026. FOX 13 · Sep 4, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. If Amendment 3 cuts city property tax revenue, how should Dunedin respond?
2. How should Dunedin expand workforce and affordable housing?
3. How should the city speed rebuilding after a storm?
4. Which change to development rules should come first?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Registration books close (5 p.m.)City of DunedinOct 5, 2026
Early voting begins (through Nov. 1)City of Dunedin · Oct 2, 2026Oct 19, 2026
Election DayCity of Dunedin · Oct 2, 2026Nov 3, 2026
New commissioners take office at a special meetingCity of DunedinNov 16, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Tom Dugard, Maureen "Moe" Freaney, Steven Sandbergen, Robert Walker1 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The City Commission is composed of a Mayor and four Commissioners elected by the electors of the City. City of Dunedin Charter (2026 election handbook, Tab 5A)
Commissioners serve four-year terms and each qualifies for a single numbered seat; the mayor and two commissioners are elected in one even-numbered year, and two commissioners in the next. City of Dunedin Charter (2026 election handbook, Tab 5A)
Dunedin operates under a non-partisan Commission/Manager form of government. City of Dunedin

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