Oregon Fire and EMS District Meeting with the District partners September 30, 2026

The Oregon Area Fire and EMS District’s joint meeting with the Towns of Oregon, Dunn, and Rutland and the Village of Oregon was held September 30, 2026. The four municipalities unanimously approved forwarding the proposed 2027 district budget and capital improvement plan for their consideration. The budget includes approximately $283,000 for an engine that has already been purchased; officials said a budget amendment would account for the related current-year expenditures, with funding paperwork still to be completed. A reported $513,000 general-fund deficit in current-year actuals was attributed to the truck purchase. The chief also said the district may hire one employee in 2027, with a second hire dependent on revenues. Rising health-care costs were noted as a budget pressure.

The meeting also reviewed station-facility planning by Wendell 5 Bugles, whose work to date was reported to cost $30,500. The consultant presented multiple concepts, including an approximately $1 million limited renovation and a roughly $16.6 million full renovation and expansion (the latter estimate excluded potential property acquisition and temporary relocation costs). Officials and firefighters discussed safety, response times, downtown location, redevelopment plans, and the pending consolidation study. No station project or procurement option was approved; participants called for continued work and further consideration, including focusing on long-term options. A downtown redevelopment RFP was mentioned, but no related award or action was taken.