After a turbulent summer of council departures, the Madras City Council has taken a stabilizing step — appointing two new members to fill long-standing vacancies and restore a working majority heading into fall.
Tony Chard and Christopher Heden were selected from a pool of seven applicants, interviewed by the council on September 1, and both took the oath of office the same day. They will serve through December 31, 2026.
Seven Applied for Two Seats
The council received applications from seven community members for the two temporary appointments — a showing that local observers said reflects continued civic interest in Madras governance despite the recent turbulence. Candidates were interviewed alphabetically during a special council session, and Chard and Heden were selected by vote of the remaining council members.
Both appointments are temporary by design. Their terms expire December 31, 2026, aligning with the November general election in which voters will elect permanent representatives to fill seats left open by the departures.
One Seat Still Open
A third council vacancy remains — created by the recent resignation of Pamela Thomas, the third council member to step down since April. The council may seek to fill that seat as well before year-end, though doing so requires another application and interview process.
With Chard and Heden seated, the council can now more reliably reach quorum for official business, including votes on budgets, contracts, and city ordinances. A council operating below quorum cannot conduct most official business, creating a practical pressure to fill vacancies quickly.
What's on the Agenda This Fall
The Madras City Council faces several significant decisions in the months ahead, including review of the city's capital improvement plan, deliberations on utility infrastructure, and land use planning tied to anticipated industrial and residential growth on the city's east side.
The November election will also bring fresh faces to permanent council seats, meaning the composition of the council could look substantially different by January 2027. Both Chard and Heden's appointments expire regardless of election outcomes.
Get Involved
City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Madras City Hall, 125 SW E Street. Meetings are open to the public and include a public comment period. Agendas and minutes are posted at madras.gov.