Medford — The Medford City Council on June 4 adopted a $679,486,400 biennial budget for July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, approving the spending plan by an 8-0 roll-call vote after a public hearing and final motion by Councilor Kevin Stein.

The budget lays out revenue assumptions including a projected 4% rise in property taxes, an 18% increase in franchise-fee receipts tied to higher energy costs, a modest 1.2% growth in utility fees and an anticipated decline in some state-shared revenues such as marijuana tax allocations. The city also plans to issue debt to fund a mandated wastewater treatment plant project that staff estimated could require roughly $200 million in bonds and loans during the coming biennium.

Why it matters: The budget is the city’s primary spending and policy document for the next two years and frames service levels and capital projects. Medford faces rising personnel costs driven by retirement-plan and health-care increases, and the council retained authority to make changes later through routine supplemental budgets.

Staff highlights and drivers
Ryan Martin, chief financial officer, told the council that long-term personnel expense growth reflects employer costs beyond base wages. “Most of it is PERS and health care,” Martin said during the presentation. Other notable budget changes include four new funds tied to fire-station construction and sewer revenue bond debt service, plus higher capital outlay for the wastewater treatment project.

Council discussion and vote
After a public hearing with no in-person speakers on the budget, Councilor Kevin Stein moved to approve the proposed budget; Councilor Jessica Ayers seconded. The vote was unanimous, 8-0, with the clerk recording eight yes votes.

What comes next
City staff will monitor revenues and bring supplemental budgets as needed; the council’s adoption allows administrative work to proceed on capital projects and program staffing. The city noted it will continue to link budget allocations to council goals and performance measures and expects to return with any necessary mid-biennium adjustments.