The Madras City Council has two new members. Tony Chard and Chris Heden were appointed by their fellow councilors to fill a pair of vacant seats, and both took the oath of office on Monday, September 1 — a fitting start to the fall governing season.
The appointments are temporary, running through December 31, 2026, after which the seats will be subject to the normal election process. Still, the additions give the council a full complement of members at a pivotal moment for the city.
Filling the Gaps
The two vacancies had left the council operating with reduced capacity heading into a fall agenda that includes key decisions on city staffing, budget planning, and ongoing public safety discussions. With Chard and Heden now seated, the council can move forward without the complications of a quorum-thin body.
The City of Madras announced the appointments through its official channels last week, noting that the council had conducted a formal interview and selection process before making its choices.
A Busy Fall Ahead for the Council
The newly expanded council faces a full plate this fall. Chief among the pending issues is the city's ongoing police chief search, which has been in progress for more than a year. Three finalists — Jeffrey Hattersley, Adrian Passadore, and Perry Phipps — were interviewed by the council in late August, following a public meet-and-greet forum on August 24 where residents raised concerns ranging from homelessness management downtown to improving collaboration between Madras Police and other local law enforcement agencies.
A final selection is expected in the coming weeks. Once hired, the new chief will lead the Madras Police Department through what community members have identified as a critical period for public safety in the city.
Council Composition
Madras operates under a council-manager form of government, with elected and appointed councilors setting policy and a professional city manager handling day-to-day operations. The addition of Chard and Heden brings stability to the legislative body as the city heads toward its 2027 budget cycle and continued growth planning for a community that has expanded to roughly 8,200 residents.
The council meets regularly at Madras City Hall. Residents who want to participate in upcoming meetings — including any discussions around the police chief hire or other city priorities — can find the meeting schedule and agenda postings at madras.gov.
Both Chard and Heden will stand for re-election or replacement through the standard electoral process if they wish to continue serving beyond December 31.