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City Attorney warns election costs rising; office says workload remains 'responsive' as hires, interns added
Summary
City Attorney Mike Lyles told the Finance Committee the Office of Law's FY2026 budget totals about $2.8 million and that election-related costs could rise to roughly $200,000, an uncertain estimate. Lyles described staffing changes, summer interns, and defended the office's nonpolitical role amid questions about reporting lines.
The Annapolis Finance Committee heard a presentation from City Attorney Mike Lyles on April 22, 2025, who said the Office of Law is operating on a $2.8 million budget and warned that new county and state charges for elections could increase local costs to about $200,000.
Lyles said the $200,000 figure is an estimate. "What they provided us so far is in the neighborhood of about $150,000 of costs to them county and state election officials so we enhanced that as an estimate to 200,000," Lyles said. He added the office cannot say the number with "any degree of certainty" until final invoices are received.
The attorney's office reported that about 75% of its budget is salary and wages, with roughly $170,000 set aside for contract…
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