Dunedin Keeps Up Support for Healthcre, Arts, and Culture

The state has mandated deep cuts in local government budgets, causing cities across Florida to cut services.

St. Petersburg, under Mayor Rick Baker, has notably cut by 80% its contributions to non-profits. In Dunedin, my hometown, I am proud to say that city commissioners have decided to tighten their own belts, cutting their travel budgets in half, rather than put the city's long term future at risk.

While cuts were made, they were only 10% from last year, rather than the 80% pushed through by Baker to the south.

"Arts and culture and history is part of economic development," said Dunedin Commissioner Deborah Kynes.

The new budget protects programs at the Neighborly Care Network (which provides meals and care to seniors), Faith in Action (a faith base organization helping citizens with long term care needs), and the city's art center and historical society (pictured above).