The City of Madras has a new city administrator. The Madras City Council reached a formal employment agreement with Brenda Fahey at its June 23, 2026 meeting, ending a search that stretched more than five months.
Fahey currently serves as assistant city manager and human resources director for the City of The Dalles, where she has built more than 25 years of public sector experience. She is expected to begin her new role in Madras next month.
A Long Search Ends
The city launched its search for a city administrator in early 2026, following a leadership transition that left the top administrative post vacant for an extended period. The process included a public meet-and-greet on June 10 and final interviews before the council settled on Fahey from a pool of three finalists.
Fahey will step into a city that is navigating a range of challenges and opportunities: a growing budget, infrastructure needs, questions about the local DMV office, and the broader pressures of serving a rural county seat in Central Oregon.
Background and Experience
The Dalles — the seat of Wasco County and a community facing similar rural Oregon dynamics — gave Fahey experience working on municipal finance, personnel, and intergovernmental relations. Her background in human resources is expected to be valuable as Madras works to stabilize city staffing.
City officials had not released details on Fahey's salary or start date as of press time. The Bulletin will provide updates as she transitions into the role.
Madras is the county seat of Jefferson County and home to approximately 7,000 residents. The city administrator position is the senior administrative role in the city's government, responsible for day-to-day operations under the direction of the elected City Council.