Yreka council authorizes USDA loan application for new $35 million fire station project

The Yreka City Council on July 21 adopted a resolution authorizing staff to submit a loan application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Community Facilities Program for construction of a new fire station.

Municipal projects manager Cindy Lynch summarized a multi-year planning effort, noting a 2021 organizational assessment of the volunteer fire department and subsequent planning grant that funded site selection and partial design. Lynch said the city purchased a preferred site at 915 South Main Street in 2025 after completing due diligence, including a Phase I environmental assessment, and has procured architecture and preliminary plans.

Staff presented a proposed building program for a roughly 20,000-square-foot single-story metal-frame station with pull-through apparatus bays, firefighter living space, decontamination and showering facilities, administrative offices and other features intended to meet modern codes and operations. Lynch presented an overall projected construction budget "around or not to exceed $35,000,000," including demolition, site work, contingency and soft costs, and noted the city is pursuing multiple funding sources: a federal appropriation request for $8,250,000 and a HUD CDBG construction request for $3,300,000. The council also has placed a 1% local sales tax (Measure V) on the November 2024 ballot to support construction and ongoing operations; that measure passed, Lynch said, and is expected to offset some future costs.

Council member McCoy moved to adopt Resolution 26-25 authorizing submittal of the USDA application; Mayor Baker seconded. The motion passed unanimously on roll call. Council members praised staff for the work on planning and funding options; one member noted disappointment that no volunteer firefighters or paid staff were present to observe the vote.

With the resolution adopted staff may proceed with required application steps for a USDA low-interest loan and continue pursuing other grants and appropriations. Lynch said final funding decisions and construction timing are expected in the months ahead and that the city will continue to combine funding sources to reduce the loan portion.