MEDFORD, Ore. – The city of Medford approved a new set of appropriations for the 2023-25 biennium. A significant portion of these appropriations are going towards the construction of Fire Station 15.

On Thursday, Dec. 5, the city council approved Council Bill 2024-128. This created a new fund and appropriated money for the station. Fund 150, the Fire Facilities Construction Fund, is having more than $6.5 million moved into it.

Fire Station 15 is on Roberts Road next to North Medford High School. The station is over 50 years old and in poor condition according to city council documents.

In 2023, the city inspected all fire stations, giving them a letter grade and condition assessment. Station 15 had the worst grade by far, getting a D. Three other stations scored an A grade, another scored a B grade.

A bulk of the money for construction is coming from bonds the city sold to cover costs. They also appropriated $4 million from the general fund to cover the rest of the expenses.

Appropriated funds are already in city accounts or funds. They either get moved to a different fund or designated for a specific purpose.