Madras has a new city administrator. The City Council officially confirmed Brenda Fahey at its June 23 meeting, bringing the weeks-long search for a top city manager to a close and installing new leadership at City Hall.
Fahey comes to Madras from The Dalles, where she served as the assistant city manager and human resources director. Her background spans municipal administration, personnel management, and intergovernmental relations — experience that the council identified as a strong fit for Madras’s needs as the city navigates growth, infrastructure investments, and evolving community priorities.
How the Process Unfolded
The city launched a formal search process earlier this year after the previous city administrator’s departure. In May, the field was narrowed to three finalists: Fahey, Jody Yates, and Maurice Henderson II. A public meet-and-greet was held at Initiative Brewing on a Wednesday evening in June, allowing community members to hear from all three candidates before the council made its final selection.
The council selected Fahey in mid-June and directed staff to prepare an employment agreement, which was formalized and approved at the June 23 regular meeting.
A Key Leadership Post
The city administrator is one of the most consequential hires in local government. The position oversees day-to-day city operations, manages department heads, implements council policy, and serves as the primary liaison between elected officials and city staff. In Madras, the administrator also plays a key role in coordinating with Jefferson County, state agencies, and regional partners on issues like water, transportation, and economic development.
Madras, with a population of roughly 7,000, is the county seat of Jefferson County and serves as the economic and service hub for a large swath of north-central Oregon. The city has been managing a period of steady growth while also grappling with challenges common to rural Oregon communities: aging infrastructure, limited housing supply, and the need to attract and retain both residents and businesses.
A Fresh Start
Fahey’s hire represents an opportunity for the city to chart a clear administrative direction after a period of transition. The council’s decision to open the process to a public meet-and-greet was noted by community members as a welcome step toward transparency in the hiring process.
Fahey is expected to begin her duties in the coming weeks. The Madras Bulletin will follow up with a profile of the incoming administrator as she settles into the role.