After more than five months of searching, the City of Madras has selected Brenda Fahey as its next city administrator, pending a formal offer and acceptance. The appointment caps a lengthy recruitment process that city officials launched earlier this year to fill the top administrative role at City Hall.
Details on Fahey's professional background and anticipated start date are expected to be released once the formal offer is signed. But the selection signals a turning point for a city that has been navigating leadership changes on multiple fronts throughout 2026.
A Busy Season for City Leadership
The city administrator hire comes alongside a fresh round of council appointments. Earlier this month, the Madras City Council moved to fill two temporary vacancies during a special meeting on September 1, selecting Tony Chard and Chris Heden from a pool of seven applicants. Both council members took the oath of office the same day and will serve through December 31, 2026.
The applicants were evaluated based on written responses to standardized questions and interviews conducted during the special session — a process designed to ensure a fair comparison across candidates for the appointed seats.
Why the City Administrator Role Matters
The city administrator oversees day-to-day municipal operations, coordinates department heads, and serves as the primary link between the elected City Council and city staff. In a city Madras's size — roughly 7,000 residents with a broad range of public works, parks, and utility responsibilities — the position carries significant operational weight.
Madras has experienced steady growth and transition in recent years, driven in part by its location along U.S. Highway 26, its proximity to Bend, and increasing demand for housing and community services. Filling the city administrator role with the right candidate is seen as critical to managing that growth effectively.
Council Appointees to Serve Through Year-End
Chard and Heden's appointments run through the end of 2026, at which point those council seats are expected to proceed through the normal election cycle. Their addition to the council gives the city a full slate of representatives heading into the fall budget and planning season.
Together, the Fahey hire and council appointments represent a meaningful reset for city leadership — one that positions Madras to move forward on infrastructure priorities, housing policy, and community services heading into 2027.
What's Next
City officials are expected to finalize Fahey's offer in the coming days. Residents interested in following city governance can attend regular Madras City Council meetings or visit madras.gov for agendas, minutes, and updates.