Madras is heading toward November without its current mayor on the ballot — and with three of its most critical staff positions still unfilled by permanent employees.
Mayor Mike Lepin confirmed this month that he will not seek re-election when his two-year term expires in December 2026. The announcement came as the city simultaneously kicked off its annual budget process amid an extended period of leadership turnover that interim city administrator David Clyne described plainly: "This was a difficult year at the city."
Lepin's Decision
Lepin, who has served as mayor since 2023 after prior service on the Madras Planning Commission and City Council, cited his workload at Jefferson County Fire & EMS — where he serves as EMS deputy chief — as the primary driver of his decision to step aside.
"I've had some extra duties put on top of me with the loss of certain personnel here, since we've had to let certain people go that I really do not have the bandwidth to give the attention that both the city and the fire department deserve," Lepin told the Madras Pioneer earlier this month.
"I think part of it is you always want to be able to make sure you finish something or you fix something," he added. "It's a real struggle" to walk away, he acknowledged, but said it was the right call.
A Year of Turnover
Lepin's departure announcement comes at a notably turbulent stretch for Madras city government. In July 2025, Police Chief Tim Plummer was fired following a performance review. Six months later, City Administrator Will Ibershof resigned abruptly in January 2026. Finance Director Kate Knop departed in March, in the middle of the city's budget and audit process.
The city is currently operating with interim leadership across all three of those positions. Interim City Administrator David Clyne — whose contract runs through early August — is overseeing the budget process and has opened conversations about potentially restructuring city staff to improve operational stability going forward.
Budget Process Underway
The city's first budget committee meeting this cycle raised the possibility of adding administrative positions — such as an HR director — to help manage the kind of staffing churn the city has experienced. Clyne indicated that how the city is organized may look different by the time a permanent city administrator is brought on.
The city must adopt its budget before June 30 to comply with Oregon budget law.
Who Runs for Mayor?
With Lepin stepping aside, Madras voters will have a new face at the top of city government come January 2027. The filing deadline for the November 2026 general election has not yet passed, and no candidates have publicly announced a run for mayor at this time.
Madras residents interested in running for mayor or city council can find filing information at madras.gov or by contacting the Jefferson County Clerk's office.