The Madras City Council announced last week that it has selected Brenda Fahey as its preferred candidate for City Administrator, directing city staff to prepare an employment agreement for consideration at the June 23, 2026 City Council meeting. If approved, Fahey will become Madras’s first permanent City Administrator since Will Ibershof resigned in January.

Fahey currently serves as the Assistant City Manager and Human Resources Director for the City of The Dalles, a similarly sized high-desert Oregon city on the Columbia River. She was one of three finalists announced in late May, along with Maurice Henderson II and Jody Yates. The trio participated in a public meet-and-greet at Initiative Brewing on June 10, where community members had 90 minutes to ask questions and evaluate the candidates firsthand.

A Search Six Months in the Making

The search began after Ibershof’s surprise departure on January 14. The City Council initially appointed Public Works Director Jeff Hurd as interim, then brought on experienced interim city manager David Clyne in April to stabilize operations and guide the formal search. By late May, the field had narrowed to three strong candidates.

The public process — including the candidate forum at Initiative Brewing — was an effort to give residents a voice in the selection. Feedback from that event informed the Council’s deliberations leading to Fahey’s selection.

What’s Next

The employment agreement will be presented at the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 23. Assuming approval, Fahey’s start date and transition timeline are expected to be announced shortly after. Interim City Administrator David Clyne has been leading the city through a period of significant activity, including the launch of a joint strategic planning effort with Jefferson County announced in recent weeks.

The Madras City Administrator position carries responsibility for day-to-day operations of a city of approximately 7,000 people, overseeing departments ranging from public works and planning to finance and community development.

The June 23 Council meeting begins at City Hall. Residents are welcome to attend or watch via the city’s website at madras.gov.