Beverly Council approves $160,000 emergency transfer to Dispatch Department
City Council · Meeting of February 17, 2026
Beverly dispatch staffing challenges force emergency $160,000 mid-year transfer. The Public Safety Dispatch Department, newly consolidated from separate Police and Fire 9-1-1 operations, has consumed overtime budget faster than projected in its first fully operational year. Finance Director Bryant Ayles attributed the shortfall to early turnover requiring additional training and new-hire overtime, coupled with a staffing structure that requires inherent ongoing overtime.
Chief Petter O'Connor noted the department currently maintains full staffing of ten full-time dispatchers and one supervisor, but acknowledged dispatch is viewed in the profession as entry-level. The transfer leaves $65,000 remaining in reserves and will trigger a separate $50,000 to $60,000 addition to next year's budget.
In the full story:
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Source: the City Council meeting of February 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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