Two threads of local governance news have come together in Madras in recent weeks: a firm denial of data center rumors that had circulated on social media, and progress on filling the city's top administrative post after more than six months of leadership transition.

No Data Center Coming to Jefferson County

Social media speculation about a large-scale data center development in Jefferson County prompted Madras Interim City Administrator David Clyne to set the record straight publicly in mid-June.

Clyne took to Facebook on June 10 to dispel the rumors, stating clearly that the City of Madras is not entertaining any proposal to build a data center in Jefferson County. The statement came amid broader regional conversations about data center expansion across Central Oregon, including discussions in neighboring Crook County, where Prineville has been evaluating terms for future data center agreements.

Data centers — large facilities that house computer servers for cloud computing companies — have been a subject of debate across Oregon due to their demands for water, power, and land, as well as questions about the types of jobs and tax revenue they provide to host communities. Madras city leadership appears to have concluded the tradeoffs are not the right fit for Jefferson County at this time.

City Administrator Search Nears End

After a leadership transition that began in January 2026, the Madras City Council has made significant progress in permanently filling the City Administrator role.

The Council appointed Public Works Director Jeff Hurd as Interim City Administrator on January 16 while a formal search got underway. By May, the field had narrowed to three finalists: Brenda Fahey, Maurice Henderson II, and Jody Yates.

The Madras City Council subsequently identified Brenda Fahey as its preferred candidate and directed staff to prepare an employment agreement for consideration at the June 23 City Council meeting. The final hiring status as of publication was not immediately confirmed, but the city appears to be in the final stages of bringing new permanent leadership on board.

The city administrator role is central to day-to-day operations in Madras, overseeing departments from public works to finance to planning. A permanent hire would end a period of interim leadership that has lasted through much of the first half of 2026.

What's Next

With fire season in full swing, the Jefferson County Fair arriving this week, and ongoing questions about city services and staffing, stable city leadership matters more than ever for Madras residents. The Madras Bulletin will follow up on the City Administrator appointment and any developments from the Madras City Council in the weeks ahead.

City Council meetings are open to the public. Visit madras.gov for the schedule and agenda information.