The district administrator Jordan says that the expenditure plan for the 2025-26 financial year promotes financial stability and maintains a healthy reserve fund. Projects at Medford Airport, animal control and Expo
By Buffy Pollock, Rogue Valley Times
Jackson County officials say careful budgeting and solid financial management at a time when most districts in the state deal with deficits.
According to the data published by the Association of Oregon Counties this year, at least 21 out of 36 Oregon Counties are exposed to deficits that can lead to public services.
Danny Jordan, Administrator of Jackson County, said that the district was in a good financial form and able to finance the necessary capital improvements thanks to a healthy reserve fund.
A recently approved budget of $ 660 million for the 2025-26 financial year with around $ 264.5 million in reserves, helps to finance operations without debt, said Jordan and enables the construction of capital improvements without asking taxpayers for more money.
“We have a lot of money in reserve, but our company budget is tight and we are careful, as we spend.” During the time I was here, we – without new taxes – built and paid for and paid for and paid for capital projects. And we are preparing to build 300 million US dollars more. “
The projects that see movements in the coming financial year include the expansion of the airport, an additional dog control system and a multi -purpose system on the Expo Fairgrounds.
Multi-purpose pandemic reaction center
On the list of the coming financial year, from July 1st, just more than $ 24 million for a multi-use pandemic reaction center of $ 61.5 million on the Jackson County Expo site will be budgeted along the Peninger Road in Central Point. Completion is planned for May 2026.
The district received over $ 47 million on Federal American Rescue Plan ACT fund, including the state-owned, local fiscal recreation fund and the local auxiliary and tribal consistency fund for the 120,000 square meter project.
The regional reaction efforts during pandemic showed “a large meeting room for testing, the treatment and prevention of diseases” as well as a viable space to protect, feed and offer the forest fire.
The facility will offer an overflow room for the nearby exhibition and will partially rent a community center for the city of Central Point, which will pay 860,000 per year for 35 years.
Leasing funds and interest results in the ARPA funds will reduce the amount of the general fund dollars used for the project to $ 3 million and $ 8 million.
Jordan said that the joint use of the facility was an example of the financing of capital improvements without increasing taxes and creating new sources of income.
Airport -upgrades
For the Rogue Valley International-Medford airport terminal, a little more than $ 40 million for the upgrades planned for the next 5 to 6 years of $ 180 million are budgeted for the coming financial year.
The current airport terminal was built in 2009 with a price of around $ 50 million at the time and is being improved for larger aircraft.
The termal extension is the youngest in almost two decades of Airport -Upgrades, including tens of millions for rehabilitation landing roads and resting roads, the expansion of the terminal park, the installation of sun lighting in the parking lot and the improvement of the facilities for car rental, freight and goods as well as snow reduction devices.
The $ 115 million “phase 1” of a three-phase project should begin by spring 2027. He adds six new departure lounges, expanded seating areas and, Jordan, noticed: “Do it where people no longer have to go outside to get on the planes.”
Jordan added that the regional airport benefits the local economy.
“These upgrades in our facilities open up the negotiations for airlines to offer more routes,” he said. “You have the better facility, the more interest in more airlines.”
Replacement dog accommodation
Around $ 4.8 million will be budgeted for the coming financial year to replace an antiquated animal shelter in the district with a new “dog control system” for ownership owned by County in White City.
The project is estimated at around 15 million US dollars. A new shelter was a hot topic for community members after changes in the protective guidelines, an increased volume of dogs in the facility and a guardian decision last year to stop the housing cats.
District officers briefly discussed a 15-cent tax tax, which would have set up an above-average facility and accommodated cats. However, the municipality's reaction gave no support for a larger facility.
Other potential projects
Although Jordan was not presented and approved in the recently approved budget, which was presented and approved in June, the ultimate projects, including extended institutions of the district court of Jackson County Circuit, and the establishment of a replacement district prison for continued careful budgeting, the search for available state funds and the use of reserves before it Tax taxes or striking debts.
Creative approaches to projects – such as the leasing of a part of the Pandemic Response Center and the installation of Parkplatz Solar to finance airport current – help to maintain healthy reserves, he added.
“The strong financial position of Jackson County is the result of years of careful planning, responsible budgeting and the obligation on solid budgetary policy,” said Jordan. “We have prioritized sustainability and transparency, strategically invested in infrastructure and services and worked hard to expand a resistant local economy. This type of discipline does not always make headlines, but it pays off especially in uncertain times.”
The budget information from Jackson County 2025-26 are published on the district's website.
Reporter Buffy Pollock under 458-488-2029 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.