Dogs dominate meeting

By JUDD WEIL

Staff writer

Residents frustrated by loose dogs remained on the minds of Peabody City Council members Monday as they searched for an animal control solution.

Council member Linda Martinez said she had again heard complaints from residents about dogs at large. She asked people to photograph violations and send them to the police department or city administrator Paul Leeker so incidents could be documented.

Police currently have nowhere to house animals they pick up, lone police officer Charles Walker said, prompting discussion about renewing the city’s kennel license so facilities would be available once an animal control officer is hired.

A licensed kennel would make it easier to recruit someone locally to handle animal control duties because facilities already would be in place, Mayor Bailey Penner said.

Council members also advanced a search for the city’s next police chief, adding Leeker to a search committee.

In other business, Leeker said he would seek additional information about ending the city’s agreement with Professional Code Compliance after council members questioned the effectiveness of the service.

Members asked that a company representative attend a future meeting to explain its work and what options the city had if it chose to end the contract.

Leeker also outlined plans to hire a full-time city clerk while restructuring city hall staffing.

Council members recessed into executive session to discuss a claim against the city. No action was taken.

A budget workshopwas delayed because representatives from the Loyd Group failed to appear.

However, they did appear in a special meeting Tuesday.

Scot Loyd, Loyd Group owner and auditor, offered an overview of a proposed 2027 budget.

A preliminary spending plan would keep the city’s tax rate at 87.321 mills, the same as 2026, while higher assessed valuations are expected to generate about $7,000 in additional property revenue if the council votes to exceed the city’s revenue-neutral rate.

Loyd told the council the city remained in solid financial condition, with general fund reserves equal to about 9.1 months of operating expenses.

He cautioned, however, that inflation continues to outpace revenue growth. He said maintaining adequate cash reserves would be important as council completes next year’s budget.

The council will continue reviewing the proposed budget before setting a public hearing later this summer.