The North Vernon Fire Department is set to see improvements to its fire station after the City Council approved $44,820 for upgrades to the building.

Chief Mike Cole says the updates are needed to accommodate the the increase in firefighters, both paid and volunteer. The improvements to the building, on Madison Avenue, include a new restroom, improvements to an existing restroom, moving the firefighters’ day room upstairs and increasing the size of the space.

Chief Cole says that the low bidder on the project was Harmon Construction.

The council approved the project, with funding to come from the city’s Local Option Income Tax Fund. Cole says the work will begin soon.