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Annapolis reports tentative $15 million housing‑lawsuit settlement; council prepares for full‑day budget session
Summary
Acting Mayor Frank Thorpe announced a tentative $15 million settlement in two public‑housing lawsuits—$5 million from insurance and $10 million from city funds—and reminded the council of a June 1 all‑day meeting to consider more than 120 amendments to the FY2027 budget.
Acting Mayor Frank Thorpe told the council that the city has reached tentative settlements in two lawsuits related to public housing that, if approved by the federal court, would total $15,000,000. He said the city’s excess insurance carrier would pay $5,000,000 and the remaining $10,000,000 would come from city funds, and stressed the settlement was not yet finalized and would require legal work and court approval before becoming effective.
“As you may have heard, the city of Annapolis has reached a tentative settlements in 2 lawsuits related to public housing,” Thorpe said, adding the details will be worked out by the attorneys and presented to a U.S. district court judge for final approval.
Thorpe also reminded the council that the next meeting on Monday, June 1 will be an all‑day session to finalize the fiscal year 2027 budget, where the council will consider more than 120 amendments. He said the proposed budget does not include a property tax increase but noted enterprise fees for water, sewer, refuse and stormwater may change to reflect cost increases.
Public testimony at the meeting focused on several proposed budget amendments. Bridal Wildey of Eastport urged caution on spending for the proposed diesel‑electric hybrid ferry pilot and said lifecycle and landing costs mean residents could face ongoing expenses if the city pursues the project. Paul Rankin, president of the Eastport Civic Association, outlined a set of local infrastructure requests he asked the council to add to the budget, including $100,000 for waterway improvements, $150,000 for Eastport sidewalks, $100,000 for Hawkins Cove improvements, $50,000 for Turner Park, and additional funding for citywide roadway repairs and traffic safety.
The council accepted a letter from the Planning Commission (dated May 8, 2026 and signed by Alex Plein) into the record. The public hearing on the annual budget was then closed for the evening; the council will take up the budget amendments at the June 1 meeting.
