City of Annapolis Branding and Logo

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names and details may be misheard.

What: agenda item 190-26. A new simplified city logo, color palette and brand guidelines to replace the early-2000s "tombstone" mark, driven partly by digital accessibility rules taking effect April 2027.
Where it stands: presented at the 2026-10-15 work session by Mitchelle Stephenson and Lindsey Gable; aldermen were broadly favorable. No vote taken.
Next: departmental cost audit this fall, a mayor's ordinance to adopt the brand and protect its use (legislation expected in November), budget finalized in December, annapolis.gov relaunch targeted for February.

Replace the current mark on the website, social media, vehicles and signs; the city seal is untouched. Fire, Police, Emergency Management and Recreation and Parks marks are deferred.
Rollout: digital first (February to June 2027), signs and vehicles replaced on retirement in FY28, full conversion in 2029. Cost estimates are directional until the audit.
Governance: city manager directive, the public information officer as brand owner, a contact in each department, quarterly progress reviews.
Input: 530 survey responses, a cross-department working group and a local design firm.

Budget for FY28 and FY29 (one alderman had "heartburn").
Enforcement so departments follow the guidelines.
Timing for aldermen to use the new brand in their own communications (after the ordinance).

Agenda item 190-26, City of Annapolis branding and logo concepts, City Council work session of 2026-10-15 (see 2026-10-15 - City Council (Work Session)).
Video: 2026-10-15 - City Council (Work Session)

About 34 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-15 - City Council (Work Session)	34

2026-10-15 - City Council (Work Session) - Logo, palette, rollout plan and cost estimates presented; aldermen supportive, with budget and enforcement comments.