Annapolis Finance Committee Meeting Summary - October 7, 2026

The City of Annapolis Finance Committee Standing Committee convened on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 10:52 AM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Alderman Huntley with Aldermen Thorpe and O'Neill present. The committee favorably recommended a resolution on mobile food vendor fines, a supplemental appropriation for the Police Athletic League (PAL) youth mentoring program, and a fund transfer for public works snow equipment. The committee also received an update from the Department of Finance.

Agenda & Minutes Approval

The committee approved the agenda with an amendment to place discussion of Resolution R-32-26 earlier in the order. The minutes from the September 24, 2026, special meeting were unanimously approved.

Resolution R-32-26: Fines for Mobile Food Service Vendors

Planning and Zoning Director Chris Kubiak explained the recommended $1,000 fine level for violations of the mobile food service vendor ordinance (O-25-26) in the Historic District. Director Kubiak stated that the fine is intended primarily as a deterrent to ensure code compliance, rather than a punitive measure or revenue source, as the standard $200 fine was deemed insufficient. The committee voted unanimously to give the resolution a favorable recommendation.

Supplemental Appropriation SA-4-27: PAL Youth Mentoring Program

Corporal Jamal Davis and Captain Lamore Howard presented a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The funds support the Police Athletic League (PAL) youth mentoring program, which serves hundreds of youth through boxing, swimming, volleyball, and other mentoring activities. The grant will cover transportation, uniforms, and equipment. Alderman Huntley expressed strong support for the program and requested that the budget process better account for grant funding dependencies to ensure stability. Alderman O'Neill asked about the budget process, confirming the funds were supplemental to the department's existing operations. The committee unanimously recommended approval of the supplemental appropriation.

Fund Transfer FT-2-27: Public Works Snow Equipment

This item transfers $78,100 from the Department of Public Works (DPW) Street Salaries and Benefits account and $24,150 from the Traffic Control Maintenance Salaries and Benefits account to the Snow R&M Equipment account to purchase replacement snowplow blades.

Discussion: Senior Budget Analyst Darren Johnson and Director of Finance Ajayi explained that the budget for snow blade replacement was previously managed within Fleet Operations. Due to the recent centralization of fleet management, the expenditure was not accounted for in the FY27 DPW snow budget, making the transfer necessary to prevent the snow removal account from going negative for salt purchases. Alderman Huntley questioned the choice of funding sources, noting that Fleet Operations had significant funds available. The administration responded that FY27 fleet spending is expected to be higher due to a permanent fleet manager working through a backlog of repairs. Alderman Thorpe expressed concern about the 'fungibility' of the budget and the ease of pulling funds from salary accounts without apparent operational pain.

Decision: Despite philosophical budget concerns raised by multiple committee members, the committee voted unanimously (3-0) to favorably recommend the fund transfer, citing the stated urgency of the equipment purchase and the need to maintain a solvent snow removal account.

Finance Department Update (ID-7-26)

Director of Finance Ajayi reported that the FY26 audit is on schedule. The department is in a 'lockdown' period in October to complete a draft of the financial statements for auditors. Key positions in the Office of Finance have been filled except for the Budget Manager position, which is being reposted. Alderman Thorpe requested a future update on the timeline for the monthly financial close process, which Director Ajayi agreed to provide at the next meeting. The budget timeline will be outlined via council resolution.

Key Outcomes

• Favorable Recommendations: The committee forwarded three items to the full City Council with unanimous favorable recommendations:
  1. Resolution R-32-26 (Mobile Food Vendor Fines).
  2. Supplemental Appropriation SA-4-27 (PAL Youth Mentoring Grant).
  3. Fund Transfer FT-2-27 (Snow Equipment).
• Directives & Next Steps:
  • Director of Finance to provide a status update on the monthly financial close process at the next Finance Committee meeting.
  • The committee meeting adjourned at 12:05 PM.