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Mayor Littmann touts balanced budget, CityDock FEMA award and public-safety investments in first State of the City
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Summary
Mayor Littmann delivered his first State of the City on April 13, presenting a balanced FY2027 budget that does not raise the property tax rate, highlighted a $35.5 million FEMA grant for the CityDock project, and outlined expanded EMS capacity and staffing; the council later confirmed two executive appointments.
Mayor Littmann delivered his first State of the City on April 13, presenting a budget proposal he said is balanced "and we have done so without raising the property tax rate." The mayor framed the proposal as fiscal discipline tied to service improvements and singled out customer-service reforms and streamlined permitting as central goals.
The address emphasized operational basics — timely trash pickup, prompt ambulance response and safe water — and the people who deliver those services. Littmann gave a specific contact for service problems: the mayor's office ombudsman at ombudsman@annapolis.gov.
Littmann highlighted public-safety investments included in the budget: a "peak medic unit with 6 new hires and a fifth ambulance coming into service," two additional medic units funded by a $1,000,000 state grant, and $2,000,000 allocated for planning fire‑station upgrades. He also noted police staffing increases (29 new employees over the last year, including 17 sworn officers) and said the cold‑case unit recently brought a 1989 murder for prosecution. "Motor vehicle crashes are down 9 percent," he added, crediting proactive traffic safety work.
On capital projects, the mayor described CityDock (CityDOT in the transcript) as "one of the most important projects in our history," saying the city has secured a $35.5 million FEMA grant along with other federal, state and county funding for the work. He framed CityDock as part of a broader resilience strategy and said planning will include improved stormwater systems, drainage investments, and site‑specific options that in some cases may include elevating structures or managed retreat.
Littmann also pledged ward‑level investments across the city: water and sewer upgrades on East Street and King George Street (Ward 1); stabilization and continued work at Robert East Park (Ward 2); sidewalk and drainage improvements (Ward 3); resurfaced multisport courts and parking in Bywater (Ward 4); Spa Road sidewalk improvements (Ward 5); and traffic and stormwater repairs on Bay Ridge Avenue and Barbud Lane (Ward 6). He proposed the council weigh a long‑term, consolidated government center using city‑owned land on Spa Road to reduce operating costs and improve public access, noting that would not be in this year’s budget but should be worked toward.
The mayor used the address to announce two nominations the council confirmed later in the meeting: Anthony T. K. Cooper Smith as city attorney and Yolanda L. Lewis as city manager. Littmann described Lewis as having more than 20 years of experience in public administration and praised Cooper Smith's land‑use and environmental law background.
Why this matters: the budget sets the city’s service and capital priorities for the next fiscal year. The mayor’s assurances that the plan does not raise the property‑tax rate and his emphasis on infrastructure and resilience projects frame decisions council members will consider during committee hearings and future votes.
The council proceeded with its agenda after the speech, approving routine items and taking up multiple budget‑related resolutions and ordinances later the same night.
