Beverly Public Safety Leaders Seek Stabilization After $160K Dispatch Overages

The city council approved additional funding to cover overtime and personnel turnover in the newly combined public safety dispatch department.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Beverly City Council approved $160,000 in additional funding from the "Reserve for Unforeseen" account to cover overtime and other costs in the city's newly combined public safety dispatch department. City officials cited employee turnover, training requirements for new hires, and the need to backfill vacant shifts as factors leading to the budget overrun, though they assured the council this was a one-time request and not a structural deficit.

Why it matters

The dispatch department overages come as the city faces a projected $3.9 million budget deficit heading into fiscal year 2027. The additional funding request highlights the challenges of stabilizing staffing and managing costs in a 24/7 public safety operation, especially during a period of transition.

The details

The Beverly Finance Director Bryant Ayles told the council that the department was fully staffed for the first time this year, but there was initial turnover that required hiring and training new dispatchers, leading to increased overtime costs. Budget analyst Gerry Perry noted that public safety operations inherently require more overtime to cover 24/7 shifts, unlike a typical 9-to-5 business. Police Chief John LeLacheur and Fire Chief Peter O'Connor said some annual turnover is expected as dispatchers use the role as a stepping stone to pursue careers as police officers and firefighters.

  • The Beverly City Council approved the $160,000 in additional funding on Monday, February 18, 2026.
  • The city is facing a projected $3.9 million budget deficit heading into fiscal year 2027.

The players

Bryant Ayles

The Beverly Finance Director who explained the factors leading to the dispatch department's budget overrun.

Gerry Perry

The Beverly budget analyst who recommended approving the $160,000 in additional funding, noting the inherent need for overtime in public safety operations.

John LeLacheur

The Beverly Police Chief who said some annual turnover among dispatchers is expected as they use the role as a stepping stone to pursue careers as police officers.

Peter O'Connor

The Beverly Fire Chief who said the department cannot leave dispatch seats empty and cannot put unprepared people in those roles, leading to the need for overtime to cover vacant shifts.

Michael Cahill

The Mayor of Beverly whose office assured the city council that no additional funding requests beyond the $160,000 would be made this year.

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What they’re saying

“There is inherently in public safety built-in overtime, because of the 24/7 environment that they have there. Unlike in a routine, business option that you have, 9-to-5, if you are out, you don't have to backfill. ... Public safety, always, historically and traditionally, has built-in overtime that is necessary to properly function.”

— Gerry Perry, Beverly budget analyst (Patch.com)

“We don't want to see anybody go. But I also don't want to hold anybody back from fulfilling a lifelong dream. When that happens, it leaves a big void for us. We can't leave a seat empty. And we can't put somebody in a seat that is not prepared for the job.”

— Peter O'Connor, Beverly Fire Chief (Patch.com)

What’s next

The Beverly City Council will continue to monitor the dispatch department's budget and staffing needs as part of the fiscal year 2027 budget discussions.

The takeaway

The dispatch department's budget overrun highlights the challenges of managing costs and maintaining staffing stability in a 24/7 public safety operation, especially during a period of transition. The city will need to find ways to better align future budget requests with staffing needs to avoid similar overages.