The Madras City Council moved quickly this week to restore its full membership, appointing Tony Chard and Christopher Heden to fill two seats left vacant by recent resignations. Both men were sworn in on September 1, 2026, and will serve in the temporary positions through December 31, 2026.
The appointments came after the council interviewed seven applicants during a special meeting, with candidates ranging across a spectrum of professional backgrounds and community experience. The full applicant pool included William Atherton, John Anthony, Chard, Heden, and three others who interviewed for the posts.
Who Are the New Councilors?
Tony Chard and Christopher Heden join a council navigating a busy final quarter of the year, with city budget discussions, infrastructure planning, and ongoing public safety priorities all on the agenda heading into 2027.
The City of Madras confirmed both appointments on its official website, noting that the new councilors took their oaths of office at the September 1 special meeting. Neither seat will carry through to the regular election cycle — the appointments are expressly temporary, expiring when the new council term begins in January 2027.
Vacancies Created by Resignations
The two vacancies arose from the resignation of sitting councilors earlier this summer. Under Oregon law, city councils may fill vacancies by appointment when a seat is vacated mid-term, provided the appointment is for the unexpired portion of the term. In this case, with less than four months remaining in the current term, the council chose temporary appointments rather than calling a special election.
Council Business Continues
With the two seats now filled, the Madras City Council returns to full strength ahead of what is expected to be a significant fall season for city business. Among the items on the horizon: the city’s annual budget review process, discussions around public works projects, and ongoing coordination with Jefferson County on regional services.
Residents wishing to attend Madras City Council meetings can find the schedule on the City of Madras website at madras.gov. Regular council meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
The council expressed appreciation for all seven applicants who put their names forward, calling the pool “impressive” and reflecting well on civic engagement in the community.
The November general election will determine who fills these and other council seats on a permanent basis beginning in 2027. Residents interested in running for local office can contact Jefferson County Elections for candidate filing information and deadlines.