[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6582302,"mediaKeyId","3139216-d7fe79fca0a22854a4d105624b5be6aa","parentId",3139216,"title","Annapolis Police present staffing, crime trends and accreditation during Finance Committee hearing","audioSeconds",1370,"startMs",9868000,"endMs",11238000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139216-d7fe79fca0a22854a4d105624b5be6aa&start=9868&end=11238","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139216-d7fe79fca0a22854a4d105624b5be6aa/thumbnail_9868000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582302/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-Police-present-staffing-crime-trends-and-accreditation-during-Finance-Committee-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582302-b2eddf8cb7de5781184210bfed322aca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132095&Signature=miWww2c21ZV4Y18LZr2Y0HGvBmCOrP4boLpNqafzJn98VEAgx0-m2VaC~RoyeEnXiCCqOu3F4~4XqWmrWuIGdT34E~V0mlWisbbpvXN1GplspWXtlOmxaxSYivLRNysTCcQ2VYAVG8Izm4h3Wp0xi-4tWvRfK~SkQ7VkxPzxcawafoeq6vIk7teEy7tBkeBRjTjMqAjbv3frV6zNDSgvaA~Cl7wl7WsrZdl2qgNiGRtpFbFUIKBp-4JmM1zRYaGebd8WYdU-0xPS4tutBoefTyHHr8gHkY3WdOk3wHgYSXZdsH242oWwo-xy-0YP1dcDn6heyme4DW5uxV4pfICdww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Annapolis, MD","date","2025-04-28T18:05:00.113Z","article","Annapolis Police Chief Michael Jackson (title as presented) and command staff briefed the Finance Standing Committee on April 28 about FY25 accomplishments, crime trends and requested FY26 budget items, placing particular emphasis on staffing, evidence management and new program support positions.

Chief Jackson described the department’s mission to prevent violence, support reentry and promote officer wellness, and announced the department’s accreditation reinstatement in March. Captain Amy Miguez (presenting administrative details) told the committee the department sought no large, across-the-board increases but had targeted requests to meet operational needs: conversion of six positions to civil service, a contracts-funded Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program manager, respiratory-screening costs related to officer mask issuance, replacement and additional police radios, and incremental drone purchases.

Nut graf: The department presented crime and performance metrics to show it remains capable of rapid response and investigation while pleading for specific operational investments: an analyst slot at a county Real Time Information Center (RTIC) and a grants administrator to consolidate grant management across units.

Data and requests highlighted

- Crime trends and clearance rates: The department reported five homicides in FY25 (counting the fiscal-year period) and said homicide clearance rates remain well above many national averages; the department told the committee it has cleared or made significant progress on several recent homicide investigations. Major-incident response times for priority calls averaged under four minutes.

- Grants and one-time funding: The department reported roughly $2 million in state and federal grant awards in FY25 and said those grants funded multiple initiatives, including a Byrne/JAG award used to cover a body-worn camera (BWC) reviewer position. The department noted continued uncertainty about the federal grant environment but reported no immediate letters of action affecting its funding at the time of the hearing.

- UAS (drone) program and equipment: The presentation requested approximately $45,000 for four drones (two larger platforms for accident reconstruction and two smaller indoor-capable units) and identified an additional personnel line (noted by the city budget manager as $102,200 in salaries and benefits) for a UAS program manager to implement policy, training, certification, data-retention rules and public notifications for flights. The department said the manager would establish operating protocols and oversee trained operators across the department.

- Police radios and technology: Staff requested funding to replace several vehicle radios that were not compatible with a county radio upgrade; the request included about six vehicle radios, a one-time expenditure to bring vehicle communications into full compatibility.

Committee questions and concerns

Council members asked about staffing levels: the department’s authorized complement and current staffing. Captain Miguez said the department is authorized for 124 sworn officers but reported a current headcount of about 130 (including recruits in the academy); committee members noted the city code target of roughly 3.2 officers per 1,000 residents and discussed whether auxiliary or non-sworn positions could help extend patrol coverage.

Aldermen asked about the cost to restart the Annapolis Ambassadors program downtown; staff estimated prior grant-funded Ambassadors cost roughly $100,000 per year and expressed support for the program’s public-safety and visitor-service contributions. Committee members also discussed speed-camera rollout and related staffing needs for review and citation processing.

Ending

Committee members thanked police leadership for a detailed presentation and requested follow-up documentation: an updated staffing org chart, national-comparison clearance-rate figures, details on UAS operating policies and a cost estimate to restart the Ambassadors program. The department said it will provide follow-up materials to committee staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance Committee Meeting April 28 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chief Jackson and senior police staff briefed the Finance Standing Committee on FY26 priorities, cited recent homicide and shots-fired activity, reported continued compliance with accreditation standards, and asked for targeted positions including a UAS program manager and a grants administrator.","taxTitle","Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland","taxId",59348,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582307,"New Central Services department outlines facilities overhaul, $500,000 contingency for urgent capital repairs",3847,2217000,6064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139216-d7fe79fca0a22854a4d105624b5be6aa&start=2217&end=6064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139216-d7fe79fca0a22854a4d105624b5be6aa/thumbnail_2217000.jpg","/articles/6582307/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/New-Central-Services-department-outlines-facilities-overhaul-500000-contingency-for-urgent-capital-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582307-fc116885a60f30f8c1078f5d246d8c1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132095&Signature=EWmMxNLRHoJcfmwy0HnKc6Y7cBx67dHAuF-9Y1M-nIK1SQuMjmUVcG561LjhlcD0~8LpZDa2yznLoLVdbEE3bVHfi4Pbkf6t5RcI2T2CGmSzqKkaMADDCz~4iKLeXGjVY9J4I03yxa1J8vGtwGUOyTXrbMYy954rVG6c9qx6YOVaGUtQeMYCnmKD8MN3IWFdFtMOwYSUHyFu9e81JcZHoDzN459tBYJXkesP~iwA8LJw9QgEJrqvudng2jSX1FClA5h0ltUiyR1EwVwPKarLeySsgIDiO8lQtQzSEf-T5LJTAB7GP6ZD1TdoDqD5q1BU5GykR~5CvrE~eS8Q1-ZdCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Annapolis Department of Central Services presented its inaugural FY26 priorities to the Finance Standing Committee on April 28, asking the council to treat the department as the city’s central manager for procurement, facilities, fleet and risk. The department requested $500,000 for capital-project advancement and $101,000 for a real-estate consultant to build a land-and-building inventory and a strategic plan for city property.

Director (name on file in department presentation) described a short-term plan to use the $500,000 fund for urgent capital projects that arise between budget cycles, giving examples such as an immediate need for HVAC replacement at the Department of Transportation building and a fire-alarm panel replacement. He said the $700,000 already budgeted for city facility improvements is already allocated to specific projects and the $500,000 contingency would allow the city to move quickly when unanticipated, time-sensitive failures occur.

Nut graf: Central Services presented a facility-condition assessment as the cornerstone of a multi-year deferred-maintenance strategy, saying the assessment will identify roofs, HVAC systems, sprinklers and other items by expected end-of-life and estimated replacement cost — enabling targeted multi-year budget requests rather than repeated emergency appropriations.

Key points from the presentation

- Facility-condition assessment and deferred-maintenance plan: The department will commission a vendor to produce a facility-condition assessment that enumerates systems, condition and replacement timing. Staff said the assessment will feed a 5–10 year plan to prioritize capital requests and reduce emergency procurements.

- $500,000 contingency for advancing capital projects: The contingency is intended to let the department award emergency procurements and begin design and construction quickly when critical systems fail (examples cited included Pitt Moyer Recreation Center rooftop units and DOT HVAC and fire-panel work). The department described an existing emergency-procurement procedure for genuinely urgent repairs.

- Fleet electrification and replacement budget pressures: Central Services reported purchasing 27 vehicles in FY25, 16 of which were electric — bringing the city fleet to about 43 EVs of roughly 425 vehicles (about 10% electric). Staff said EVs are costlier to procure and that replacement-budget limits constrain faster fleet turnover; fleet reported about 53 emergency roadside calls last year (well under a 250 annual benchmark), but vehicle age remains a concern.

- Centralizing purchasing and a proposed concierge role: The department intends to relocate central purchasing out of 161 (by September) and move central services staff and some finance staff to 25 Shaw Street when repairs are completed. A concierge position (currently supporting City Hall) will join the Central Services team to support facility visits, mail distribution and light facilities inspections.

- Staffing and vacancies: Facilities management reported three vacancies; fleet will receive a new analyst position for FY26 to improve “tech efficiency.” The department said current work-order output (about 550 completed this year) was achieved with roughly 2.5 full-time equivalent staff on hand in the facilities shop due to vacancies.

Committee questions and next steps

Aldermen pressed whether the $500,000 contingency will be sufficient, given multiple aging systems citywide; department staff replied the facility-condition assessment will produce clearer cost estimates and that the contingency is intended to bridge the most urgent needs. Acting City Manager Vicki Buckland emphasized that the condition assessment is essential to move from a reactive to a proactive capital strategy.

The department also described an intention to bring dispersed maintenance functions currently done by Public Works into Central Services over time, and to develop a real-estate inventory and strategic plan for city holdings. Staff agreed to provide contractors’ cost estimates and to return with a prioritized capital list once the assessment is complete.

Ending

Committee members said they support a contingency fund for emergency repairs and pressed for timely delivery of the condition assessment. Central Services asked for continued collaboration with council and the city manager as the department absorbs additional responsibilities and fills critical vacancies.","Annapolis’s newly formed Central Services department described its first-year priorities to the Finance Committee: a facility-condition assessment, $500,000 set aside for advancing capital repairs, plans to relocate central purchasing and to expand fleet electrification, and staffing gaps that limit work-order throughput.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582312,"Annapolis emergency management asks council to back readiness investments after temporary grant freeze",842,90000,932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139216-d7fe79fca0a22854a4d105624b5be6aa&start=90&end=932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139216-d7fe79fca0a22854a4d105624b5be6aa/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6582312/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-emergency-management-asks-council-to-back-readiness-investments-after-temporary-grant-freeze","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582312-31a9997505e45ad15786e286cf64760a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132095&Signature=lNyR74tXLPPD8EytGxEeHbKq7NZQNTFiUI6sNDwr6Q18HefpdAqpqfjo-cAaYbhJnMc4ohbsOitTmlvm3YrjaqQxU3ccCksMJ11UlL2HwVU9d-KObFVS1pV1EKxLNi3qvR3QaIhbyFeKjDYv6nmwjPDXjbncDVCu4-mEDuJcVWP5CyvvpmumL5dcwoy~4ZuayLN-Sec-GuXZuLOtittbeSxLL~m4V8eq-0a~2guMuBxw39BOi08D2gQJYey4jWwyPR2SmoJri~uFx2GhnUwKe652GwR9SJQknhLlwxYjMyjvgxKn9ymzyoInbvuGuHcHj1w9wxh2L3Ty5rNJKL6dFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kevin Simmons, director of the City of Annapolis Office of Emergency Management (OEM), told the Finance Standing Committee on April 28 that the OEM’s FY26 budget request is “not about expenses — it’s about an investment in readiness.” The department sought funding to sustain early warning systems, training, exercises and community outreach while restoring staff capacity after multiple departures.

Simmons said OEM had 7 budgeted positions and experienced a “max exodus” in the last year; the office was down to three staff at one point but has since refilled most slots and remains operating with one vacancy. He told the committee OEM secured about $1,500,000 in grant funding and supports citywide programs including winter-relief services at the Stanton Center and weekly food distributions.

The nut graf: Simmons asked the committee to treat the OEM request as maintenance of public-safety readiness rather than routine operating growth. He flagged two immediate budget items — an annual exercise required under City Code Section 11.48.006 and the city’s share of a CivicReady (robocall) subscription — and warned the committee that federal grant disruptions earlier in the year had temporarily limited OEM’s ability to reimburse operating costs.

Key details and recent history

- Grants and a short suspension: Simmons described a multi-week freeze on OEM grants in late February and for a few days in January after a memo he said came from the federal level; funds that had been awarded could not be used for reimbursements during the freeze and were released to the city only after about two months. He said anticipated short-term asks for $65,000 to cover operating gaps were avoided once the funds were released.

- Performance and staffing: OEM’s performance measures were described as color-coded: green for goals achievable with full staffing, yellow for those achievable with FY26 enhancements, and blue for goals depending on grants. Simmons noted OEM currently meets many training and exercise metrics, is averaging about five overdoses per month (below the benchmark of 20), but remains behind on plan-updating due to earlier vacancies — the office is responsible for maintaining more than 50 emergency plans.

- Enhancements requested: Simmons identified three FY26 enhancements discussed in the presentation: the city’s share of CivicReady ($7,200), annual exercise support ($4,000), and other items tied to preparedness. He noted the City Code section that requires annual interagency exercises: City of Annapolis Code Section 11.48.006, which assigns participation to department directors and senior staff.

- Substance-use programming and funding sources: Simmons outlined how opioid-restitution funds and a health-department grant (described in the presentation as approximately $30,000–$35,000) will be allocated across city programs. The presentation listed line items and dollar amounts attributed to specific programs and posts, including: NAM grama supplies $2,500 and contract services $2,415.95; salaries and benefits $45,700 (listed as Fiona Hayes’s salary); Your Life Matters (Fire Department) overtime and benefits $32,500 and supplies $5,000; APDSUD (Police Department) overtime/benefits $26,000 and supplies $3,000; an OD/oversight contract service allocation of $24,000 for Brandon Gosnell and community liaisons; and $11,000 for training and education for program staff drawn from OEM funds. Simmons said health-department grant amounts vary by year and that the remainder of programming would be covered by opioid restitution funds.

- Winter relief site continuity: Committee members asked specifically about Winter Relief while the Stanton Center undergoes planned renovations; Simmons said discussions with Director Johnson led OEM to plan use of the auxiliary gym (AUG center at Pitt Moyer) as a backup, but that this winter the Stanton Center remained available for the full season.

Committee questions and policy risk

Committee members pressed for clarity about OEM org charts, career ladders and how many positions rely on grant funding. Committee members requested a staffing org chart that shows titles and lines of authority (not just programmatic boxes) and for clarity on career-ladder funding that is currently held in a non-departmental account. Simmons and Acting City Manager Vicki Buckland explained career-ladder impacts are budgeted centrally for FY26 while procedural details are finalized.

Simmons also described OEM’s regional role, including sending personnel to responses outside Annapolis, and highlighted a substance-use coordination role OEM leads in the state (a statewide opioid-prevention coordination that OEM participates in with public-health officers). He told the committee he and his staff track evolving drug-use patterns and will continue coordinating with the Anne Arundel County Health Department.

Ending

Simmons asked the committee for continued support to restore staffing and to sustain grant-funded programs amid federal funding uncertainty. He closed by saying OEM welcomes additional questions as the budget process advances. The committee moved on to other departmental budget presentations after OEM’s remarks.

Quotes in this article come from OEM Director Kevin Simmons and Deputy Director Dave Mandel during the April 28 Finance Standing Committee meeting.","City Emergency Manager Kevin Simmons told the Finance Committee the Office of Emergency Management’s FY26 request focuses on readiness and staffing, described recent federal grant freezes that delayed reimbursements, and outlined opioid-restitution funding allocations for substance-use programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Annapolis Police present staffing, crime trends and accreditation during Finance Committee hearing

New Central Services department outlines facilities overhaul, $500,000 contingency for urgent capital repairs

Annapolis emergency management asks council to back readiness investments after temporary grant freeze