Annapolis · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in City of Annapolis public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
FY 2027 Position Classifications and Pay Plan
Money shuffled to cover cost-of-living raises under new union contracts was replaced from capital reserves, so sidewalk and City Dock projects keep their funding — 'it nets out to zero,' per the finance chair.
Collective bargaining agreements for FY2027–2028
The new union contracts' cost-of-living increases are being funded through a fund transfer, with the diverted pay-go money replaced by capital reserve. One member was briefly alarmed the money appeared to come from $200,000 in sidewalk projects before staff explained the mechanics.
Transportation fine waivers bill (O-28-26)
The bill would let the Transportation Director waive certain fines and let the council waive them by resolution. The city attorney's office says the draft needs work — it wrongly covers misdemeanor fines and raises separation-of-powers concerns. Action was postponed for amendments.
Annual Audit and FY 2028 Budget Kickoff
The city's audit is in final fieldwork and on schedule, and the FY 2028 budget process kicked off with instructions sent to departments. The committee wants more useful quarterly budget-versus-actual reporting going forward.
Fee waiver for Budweiser Clydesdale community event
The committee was asked to consider waiving city charges for a December 27, 2026, community meet-and-greet with the Budweiser Clydesdale horses by designating it a Major Special Event.
Citywide Strategic Planning Process
The city is hiring consultants to build a 'community plan' co-owned by government, nonprofits, businesses, and residents — not a traditional city strategic plan. Several aldermen feel the council was sidelined and want the process to go through the council formally.
Parking reform work group — Phase 1 recommendations
A community forum October 8 drew 28–30 participants who ranked residential access and enforcement, clear parking information, and affordable employee parking as top priorities. Employee $5 parking programs already exist at Gotz Court and Park Place — the push is to expand locations.
LED lighting and community solar savings
The city's LED replacement program will save an estimated $170,000-plus a year in utility costs (possibly $200,000 when done), and a no-cost community solar contract could save $66,000 to $127,000 annually — up to nearly $2 million over 20 years. The finance chair took note for budgeting.
Finance Department Update
The annual audit is on track for December, but the finance office is in 'lockdown' this month and the budget manager job is being reposted. The committee asked for a monthly book-closing timeline, which has long been lagging.
Military Bowl Parade fee waiver
The city waives its costs for the December bowl parade, but a fight broke out over whether to strip the sponsor's name — 'Freedom Mortgage' — from the legislation. The name stays.
City Audit on Track for December 15
Finance Director Ajayi reported the books are closed on time and auditors' 283 documentation requests are being met — a turnaround praised by the committee after last year's troubles.
Standing committees overhaul (O-9-26)
The council finalized a rewrite of its own rules, changing how budgets get reviewed and how bills move between committees. It could speed up or slow down how future laws are handled.
FY 2027 Fees and Fines Schedules
Three companion budget resolutions were scheduled for final votes: what residents pay in fees for city services, what fines apply, and the city's position classifications and pay plan. Amendments the Council made on June 1 were to be incorporated.
FY 2027 City Budget, Appropriations, and Property Tax Levy
Public Works Director Burr Vogel gave the council a first look at the FY27 capital budget and answered questions. It's early, but this shapes what gets fixed and built — roads, facilities, infrastructure — over the next fiscal year.
Parking contract cost increases and transit funding shortfall
The city needs another $573,400 to cover parking and transportation costs this year — nearly $500,000 of it just for the SP+ garage contract, plus money to cover transit running a deficit and pricier fuel. An alderman wants a full report on the parking contract before the next meeting.
Executive Appointments: Finance and Human Resources Directors (R-19-26, R-18-26)
The Council was scheduled to act on confirming Karen Ajayi as Finance Director and, on second reader, Charles A. Hall, Jr., as Human Resources Director — two of the top positions in city government.
Undelivered Ballots Inquiry
Alderman Smith-Brown wants the County Board of Elections to appear at the July 2 meeting to address reports that about 500,000 ballots were not received by constituents.
Performance metrics and budget tracking
Huntley's vacancy-savings amendment makes the budget more honest about what the city actually spends, freeing $223,000 for priorities while hedging half into contingency. Members warned it shrinks next year's one-time money.
Boards and commissions governance modernization
A presentation laid out plans to modernize how the city's advisory boards and commissions are run; no vote was taken.
Environmental Matters Budget Priorities
The committee questioned staff about how environmental dollars should be prioritized in the city budget. What gets funded here could shape tree planting, resilience projects, and sustainability programs residents see in their neighborhoods.
Community grants priorities
Alderwoman O'Neill wants an overhaul: some groups get money from three city sources at once, quarterly reports aren't being collected, and small grants are too tiny to work. Council discussed a consolidated funding report and reviving a 2024 task force resolution.
ITS Budget Centralization and Consolidated Software Spending
The committee pressed staff on whether moving $4.3 million into Central Services actually saves money; analysts said real savings will show in FY 2028, and O'Neill opposed skimming any savings out now.
Rental Assistance Program Effectiveness
OCS's rental assistance program is open fewer months than hoped, and repeat applicants raise questions about whether the program is breaking dependency cycles. Officials discussed tracking outcomes, requiring financial literacy courses, and new case-management software.
Ward-by-ward capital spending transparency
At Alderman Smith-Brown's request, staff mapped all 117 capital projects by ward. Ward 1 gets about 51% of funding, almost entirely because of City Dock; other wards cluster between 25% and 40%. Aldermen called it a phenomenal first step toward transparency.
Debt capacity nears policy limits
The six-year capital plan adds $14.1 million in new bond authorization, funding fire station replacement, possible city offices, and fleet replacement via capital leases. Debt stays within the city's 10-12% policy limits, keeping the city's strong bond rating intact.
Office of Law staffing and workload
Only three attorneys handle roughly 140 claims, 20 in-house lawsuits, 410 contracts and 140 public records requests a year. The committee flagged fee schedule updates and asked the office to report what resources it needs.
Future of Annapolis election administration
The committee reviewed how Annapolis has run its elections since 2009 with state and county election officials on hand, as it weighs what the city's future election setup should look like.
Refuse fund rate structure and balance projections
The new refuse contract raises costs 7.5% and includes truck cameras and financial penalties for missed service. Committee members flagged resident complaints about littered streets and explored adding a food waste/composting program during the contract term.
City real estate management gap
The city has 30 active leases and pending real estate transfers but nobody assigned to manage them — the Central Services director and a law office attorney are covering it on the side. A $100,000 consultant line is the stopgap.
AI Tools and Enterprise Access for City Staff
Alderman Huntley wants city staff to have safe, enterprise versions of AI tools like OpenAI and Anthropic — with a usage policy first to protect sensitive data. IT will come back with a cost estimate for ten seats of each.
Decreasing Food Deserts program goals for FY27
Alderman Thorp pressed for the objectives, goals, and timelines of the city's food deserts program in the FY27 budget. The answers will show how seriously the city is funding food access work next year.
Harbor Master Grant and Public Works Fund Transfer
The committee recommended accepting a state grant from the Department of Natural Resources to support the Harbor Master function — state money supporting harbor operations.
Funding the Deputy Chief of Staff position
The Mayor's Office needed a fund transfer to pay for a new Deputy Chief of Staff through the end of the fiscal year. The money comes from debt service savings, so no other city programs lose funding. The full City Council still has to give final approval.
Top Administration Confirmations
The mayor's picks to lead city government — City Attorney Anthony Kupersmith and City Manager Yolanda L. Lewis — were up for confirmation, plus pay authority for Acting City Manager Victoria Buckland.
Child Care Property Tax Credits
O-1-26 would give child care providers who own their facilities a property tax credit of up to $10,000. The committee held it until March 5 rather than acting.
City Manager Selection Process
The council met privately with potential candidates for City Manager, the person who runs the city's daily operations. The choice will shape how city services are delivered and managed for years to come.
Children and Families Success Grant
The city gives out $50,000 a year in grants for after-school and summer programs. Staff confirmed it doesn't overlap with the new child care tax credit — one funds programming for school-age kids, the other helps early child care facilities afford their buildings.
Support for State Revenue Modernization Task Force (HB 1142)
Annapolis is formally asking the Maryland General Assembly to pass HB 1142, which would create a task force on modernizing how counties and municipalities raise revenue. Could eventually mean new local funding tools for the city.
Grant Funding from Anne Arundel County Health Department and Maryland DOT
The committee advanced a health grant for the police department and three Maryland DOT grants. These outside dollars fund city services without raising local taxes.
FY27 Annual Performance Standards
The city's annual performance standards for agencies and departments were set to be approved, but the committee postponed the vote. It will come back before the committee.
City employee relations
A newly added discussion item on employee relations, with the city's employee relations administrator and staff answering committee questions.
Appointment of Ross Arnett to Financial Advisory Commission
Ross Arnett interviewed with the committee and was recommended for the Financial Advisory Commission, which reviews city finances. The full City Council makes the final call.
Order of Succession for Mayor (R-2-26)
A resolution on its second reading would spell out who takes over if Mayor Jared Littmann is temporarily unable to serve or away for more than a day.
Community services staffing
Alderman Savidge flagged that the Office of Community Services has only a handful of staff and asked for a service-level review, arguing social services are a public safety issue.
Correction of Committee Appointment Resolutions
The council was scheduled to reconsider two already-adopted resolutions on standing committee and audit committee appointments, to fix errors in the resolutions' text.
Budget Presentation Standards
Huntley set expectations for upcoming budget presentations: departments must show performance metrics, explain why those metrics matter, and connect dollars to results.