Perry schedules town-hall-style meeting on proposed public-safety unification pilot

The Perry City Council scheduled a public meeting (town-hall format) for next Thursday to solicit feedback on a proposed unification pilot involving public-safety operations and possible shared services with neighboring municipalities.

Council members and staff emphasized framing the meeting as an information-and-feedback session rather than a decision-making hearing. Chief Cordova (referred to by staff) and other leaders are expected to attend to answer questions; staff confirmed they will prepare and post a fact sheet and notice. Scott (staff) said he would attend an upcoming Tremont meeting and relay that Perry would hold a town hall, and Chief Cordova confirmed availability for the planned date.

Council discussed format and moderation: the mayor and staff will set time limits (three minutes per speaker), clarify the meeting topic and scope in notices, and avoid turning the session into a forum for unrelated disputes. Staff also agreed to prepare social-media and community-notice materials on short notice and to ensure the meeting is noticed as a public meeting (not a formal public hearing) in accordance with noticing rules.

Councilmembers said the meeting should be used to collect public input to inform a longer pilot period if the council chooses to proceed; staff noted a possible April start for pilot operations so that budget and operational planning could align with existing fiscal calendars.