City of Madras and Jefferson County launch collaborative strategic planning process
Barney Lerten
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Madras and Jefferson County said Tuesday they are proud to announce the kickoff of a collaborative strategic planning process aimed at creating a shared vision for the community’s future.
The process began with the first joint City Council and County Commission work session, held on Monday, August 11, facilitated by SSW Consulting with support from the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC).
During the meeting, council members, commissioners, and staff reviewed demographic and economic data, highlighting significant population growth, increasing diversity, and economic challenges facing the region. Discussions focused on key community priorities such as economic development, housing affordability, health care access, emergency preparedness, infrastructure improvements, and technology investments.
“This partnership marks an exciting step toward aligning city and county goals and strengthening our community,” said Will Ibershof, City Administrator. “We are committed to involving residents every step of the way to ensure the strategic plan reflects what matters most to our diverse population.”
Community engagement will be the cornerstone of this process, with multiple opportunities planned for public input throughout September and October. Residents can expect surveys, interviews with key stakeholders, and outreach at local events designed to gather diverse perspectives.
Following the outreach period, the City Council and County Commission will reconvene in November to share data findings and begin developing the strategic plan based on community input. The goal is for each organization to have a comprehensive strategic plan ready for adoption early in 2026.
For ongoing updates, community members are encouraged to visit madras.gov or follow the City of Madras on social media.