Annapolis council finalizes committee assignments on first reading after failed bid to suspend rules

The Annapolis City Council moved on Dec. 8 to adopt standing committee appointments on first reading (resolution R47‑25) while declining a push to suspend council rules to finalize assignments immediately.

Alderman Schellenmeyer described the committee assignments as "time sensitive" and moved to suspend the rules so committees could be formalized this evening. The motion to suspend the rules required unanimous approval and failed after discussion and at least one expressed objection. Mayor Littman and other members said establishing committees sooner could help set meeting dates and begin work; opponents cautioned that suspending rules on the council's first meeting would set a poor precedent.

Acting finance director Jake Trudeau told the council there were pending supplemental appropriations that would benefit from a constituted finance committee. "There may be a grant that's required or that we want to add to the budget," he said, supporting earlier calls to form the finance committee promptly.

Council proceeded to adopt R47‑25 on first reader; the resolution will return in January for final approval per the city's usual process. The council also adopted R48‑25 (audit committee appointments) and R49‑25 (budget process timeline for FY2027) on first reader during the same meeting.

Next steps: committee assignments will be returned for final action in January, and the finance and audit committees will be scheduled to meet to address pending items and the fiscal year process.