Madras opened its 2026 budget season this month with its first budget committee meeting -- a session that, according to reporting by the Madras Pioneer, alluded to the possibility of restructuring city staff to address a year of significant leadership turnover and financial instability.
Three key city positions are currently open: City Administrator, Police Chief, and Finance Director. The city is actively recruiting for all three, with the City Administrator search the most advanced -- three finalists have been identified and a public forum is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10.
A June 30 Deadline
The most pressing challenge is financial. Interim City Administrator Gary Clyne has identified the city’s top priority as finalizing a balanced budget before the June 30 deadline required by Oregon law.
Clyne, a retired city administrator who has stepped into interim roles at six Oregon cities since 2018, stepped in after the unexpected resignation of Will Ibershof in January 2026. He has publicly called for a "unified vision" from the City Council as the budget process moves forward.
Why the Staffing Gaps Matter
Operating without a permanent City Administrator, Police Chief, or Finance Director simultaneously is unusual for a city of Madras’ size. Each vacancy represents not just an open seat but a gap in institutional knowledge and operational continuity. The budget process -- which requires detailed financial projections, department head input, and council sign-off -- is more complex under those conditions.
The budget committee meeting reportedly touched on whether the current organizational structure still serves the city’s needs, with some discussion of whether departments could be reorganized to reduce vulnerability to future turnover.
What’s Coming
The City Administrator hire is expected to happen quickly. If the Council selects a candidate following June 11 interviews and finalizes contract negotiations, a new administrator could be in place before the budget deadline. The Police Chief and Finance Director recruitments are at earlier stages.
Madras residents interested in the budget process can attend public City Council meetings, which are held at Madras City Hall. The city’s official website at madras.gov lists upcoming meeting dates and agenda materials.