How does city of Annapolis operate? A guide to the municipality, which is also seat to state and county governments.

The Annapolis city government is led by an elected council with eight members, called aldermen, each of whom represents one of the city’s eight wards. An elected, full-time mayor represents the city on the county, state and federal levels, and also receives one vote on the council.

The aldermen are paid about $16,700 annually while the mayor is paid $98,000. The city manager is paid $180,000, the highest-earning city employee. This summer, the director of public works position came open, and City Manager David Jarrell, who previously held that job, opted to return to the post. Michael Mallinoff now serves as city manager. The city manager oversees the city departments. The person who holds that position is nominated by the mayor and approved by the council.

The City Council meets in-person twice a month; meetings can also be viewed on the city’s website as well as on the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

In addition to its own municipal government, Annapolis is the seat of the state and county governments.

Annapolis has its own police, fire, transportation and public works departments. Anne Arundel County is in charge of the public school system.

City residents pay property taxes to the city and the county but receive a reduced rate on their county taxes.

For more information, visit www.annapolis.gov.

City Council

Democratic Mayor Gavin Buckley won another term in the 2021 city election. He defeated challenger Steve Strawn, the chair of the Annapolis Republican Central Committee. Born in South Africa but raised in Australia, Buckley has owned several restaurants in the Historic District. He can often be found aboard a boat and takes great pride in showing off Annapolis waterways.

As of January, all members of the council are Democrats. Former Republican Alderman Fred Paone, opted not to run for reelection in 2021. Karma O’Neill now represents Ward 2. Here’s a complete list, including council members.

* Mayor Gavin Buckley. City Hall, mayor@annapolis.gov.

* Alderwoman Elly Tierney, D-Ward 1. 410-231-1316. aldtierney@annapolis.gov. Tierney represents the downtown Historic District.

* Alderman Karma O’Neill, D-Ward 2. 443-223-8769. aldpaone@annapolis.gov. O’Neill’s ward is bound by Weems Creek to the north and includes the neighborhoods surrounding Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the western half of College Creek.

* Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles, D-Ward 3. 410-266-6857. AldPindellCharles@annapolis.gov. Pindell Charles’ ward stretches from Old Solomons Road to Aris T. Allen Boulevard and the start of Forest Drive to South Cherry Grove Avenue to the east.

* Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson, D-Ward 4. 410-626-0071. aldfinlayson@annapolis.gov. Finlayson’s ward runs from Woods Road to Spa Road in the east and includes areas south of Aris T. Allen Boulevard.

* Alderman Brooks Schandelmeier, D-Ward 5. 410-996-4983. aldschandelmeier@annapolis.gov. Schandelmeier represents neighborhoods south of Forest Drive and just north of Hilltop Lane, including half of Truxtun Park and the Roger “Pip” Moyer Community Recreation Center area.

* Alderman DaJuan Gay, D-Ward 6. 443-906-0061. aldgay@annapolis.gov. His district is bound by Forest Drive to the south, Tyler Avenue to the east, Cypress Road to the west and extends to the northern portion of Truxtun Park.

* Alderman Rob Savidge, D-Ward 7. 443-906-1361. aldsavidge@annapolis.gov. Savidge’s ward runs along the eastern border of Back Creek down to Bay Ridge Road and extends to portions bordering Bay Ridge Avenue.

* Alderman Ross Arnett, D-Ward 8. 443-745-2901. aldarnett@annapolis.gov. Arnett represents Eastport.

Council meetings

All council meetings typically convene in the John T. Chambers Council Chambers at City Hall, 160 Duke of Gloucester St. Meetings can be viewed on the city’s website as well as on the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages. They begin at 7 p.m. and are held on the second Monday of the month for a regular meeting and the fourth Monday when a second special meeting is deemed necessary. The council generally recesses in August.

City agencies

More information can be found at the city’s website, www.annapolis.gov, including full phone listings, upcoming legislation, meeting agendas, calendars, as well as bus and trash pickup schedules, and items of community interest.

Residents can sign up for email alerts on posted agendas, scheduled meetings and other updates. Send emails to the city via info@annapolis.gov.

* Office of the City Clerk. 410-263-7942. Keeps records of city government proceedings and acts as custodian of all permanent records.

* Office of the Mayor. 410-263-7997. Includes constituent services and city manager’s office.

* Public Information. 410-263-1183. Maintains the city website and provides information about city functions to the public and media.

* Office of Law. 410-263-7954. Performs legal, advisory, documentary and drafting services for the city, issues opinions on city law and represents the city in court.

* Department of Finance. 410-263-7952. Prepares budget documents, performs city accounting and oversees most purchasing.

* Department of Public Works. 410-263-7949. Oversees the city water and sewer systems, trash removal, street repair, snow removal and government buildings, including the Market House. Coordinates engineering and construction services for capital projects.

* Police Department, 199 Taylor Ave. 410-268-9000 or 410-268-4141 (communications).

* Office of Environmental Policy. 410-260-2200. Handles environmental grants, policy, land trusts, outreach and other environmental issues within the confines of programs and policies.

* Fire Department. 410-263-7975. Fights fires and provides emergency aid and life support. Oversees the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management.

* Department of Planning and Zoning. 410-260-2200. Issues zoning permits and handles applications for development or redevelopment in the city. Handles comprehensive planning, enforces zoning laws and oversees historic preservation.

* Human Resources Department. 410-263-7998. Handles all applications for employment, employee benefits and pensions, and labor negotiations.

* Department of Recreation and Parks. 410-263-7958. Maintains and operates city parks and community centers and offers sports and other programs. Oversees the Harbormaster’s Office.

* Department of Transportation. 410-263-7964. Operates the city’s bus system and oversees contracts for parking garages and street parking. Also oversees taxis and parking enforcement in the city including metered parking spaces and residential neighborhoods with parking restrictions.

* Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis. 410-267-8000. Oversees about 970 housing units. The agency is not a branch of city government, but the agency does give quarterly reports to the council. HACA is overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Local control is administered by a seven-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council.