Council to reappropriate $200,000 for police signing bonuses; department says funding is carry‑forward of last year's allocation

An amendment presented at the May 22 work session would add $200,000 to the police department budget for signing bonuses. Finance staff and department leaders described the change as a technical reappropriation, not a new or additional permanent increase to base pay.

"The signing bonus for entry level hires is something that has been asked for for many years," said Captain Amy Meegez of the Annapolis Police Department. "Last year was the first year it was funded. So my understanding is this is just a technical amendment to make sure the money from last year is moved forward into this year." Meegez described the mechanics: some of the money appropriated in FY25 for signing bonuses was not spent because fewer positions were filled than anticipated; the amendment would reallocate the remaining amount for FY26 so the department can pay the bonuses when hires complete required service time.

Finance Director Britney Moran and Budget Manager Jake Trudeau confirmed the discussion. Trudeau said the $400,000 originally appropriated in FY25 included money that will need reappropriation so the department can expend it in FY26, and that the $200,000 item is not in addition to that $400, but is a roll‑forward of unspent FY25 allocations.

Why it matters: The amendment does not increase the city's recurring salary baseline; council members were told it is meant to make available prior appropriations for officers who are still within the disbursement schedule for signing incentives. Several aldermen asked for a fuller written justification for the amendment to support later debate.

Ending: Council members asked staff to provide a written explanation of the signing bonus pool and the schedule for disbursements before they finalize action on the amendment.