Barney Lerten
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Madras City Council is overseeing city management collectively after the recent departure of an interim city administrator, the continuing struggle to appoint a new police chief and now the resignation of the city’s finance director, officials said Wednesday.
Here ‘s the details as laid out in a news release that KTVZ News received Wednesday afternoon:
City of Madras Provides Update on Leadership Transitions and Ongoing Operations
The City of Madras is currently navigating several leadership transitions while continuing to maintain daily operations and services for the community. The City Council and City staff are actively working through these transitions in a transparent manner, with discussions and actions occurring during publicly noticed City Council meetings.
City services remain fully operational during this period. The City Council expressed appreciation for the work of City staff who continue to support the delivery of services to the Madras community while recruitment efforts move forward for several key leadership positions.
City Administrator Transition
On January 16, 2026, the City Council appointed Public Works Director Jeff Hurd to serve as Interim City Administrator while the Council evaluated next steps for the position.
On February 26, 2026, Mr. Hurd notified the Mayor and City Council of his intent to step down from the Interim City Administrator role and return his full attention to the Public Works Department. The Mayor acknowledged that transition on February 27, 2026, leaving the City Administrator position vacant.
The Madras City Charter establishes the City Administrator as the administrative head of the City organization, responsible for supervising City personnel and administering City operations in accordance with Council policy. The Charter also provides that when the office becomes vacant, the City Council may appoint an Administrator Pro Tem to perform the duties of the office until further action is taken.
Until an interim administrator is appointed, the City is operating in a council-managed structure. Under this structure, the City Council acts as the governing body collectively, and direction to staff occurs only through formal action of the Council during publicly noticed meetings. Individual councilors do not independently direct staff outside of that process.
At the March 4, 2026 City Council meeting, the Council directed staff to begin scheduling interviews with candidates for an interim City Administrator. On March 10th a small panel of councilors interviewed three prospective candidates and is currently working toward a potential agreement. If finalized, the selected candidate would likely be available to begin service in April.
During that March 4th meeting, the Council also discussed how best to maintain continuity of operations during this transition period.
While operating without a City Administrator is not ideal, it is not uncommon during periods of leadership transition. To help ensure timely decision-making, the Council has temporarily scheduled additional special meetings during weeks when a regular council meeting is not otherwise scheduled.
These brief meetings allow the Council to address operational items that may require action without delaying City business until the next regularly scheduled meeting.
At the March 10, 2026 City Council meeting, the Council approved the position profile for the permanent City Administrator recruitment, which was the final step required before formally launching the recruitment process. The position is expected to be posted this week through the City’s recruitment firm, Prothman.
Police Chief Recruitment
The Police Chief position has been under recruitment since July 2025, following the Council’s decision to terminate the former chief (Timothy Plummer).
From July 2025 through January 2026, the City retained Paul Garrison under contract to serve as Interim Police Chief while recruitment efforts were underway. When that agreement concluded in January, the City Council appointed Sergeant Angela Elder to serve as Acting Police Chief.
The Council interviewed candidates earlier this year but was unable to reach an agreement with the preferred candidate. As a result, the Council directed that the recruitment be reopened with assistance from GMP Consultants.
That recruitment effort closed on March 9, 2026. The City Council expects to review candidate materials later this month and determine whether finalists will be invited to participate in interviews anticipated to occur in April.
Finance Department Update
At the March 10, 2026 City Council meeting, Council announced that it had received the immediate resignation of the City’s Finance Director on March 9, 2026.
During the same meeting, the Council took action to ensure continuity of financial operations while the City evaluates interim support options. The timeline for recruitment of a permanent Finance Director has not yet been determined as the City works through the current leadership transitions.
Clarification Regarding Short-Term Project Management Agreement
On February 10, 2026, the City Council approved a short-term professional services agreement with Christy Wurster to provide limited project management support during the administrative transition. This agreement was structured as a short-duration assignment focused on specific projects and was not intended to serve as an interim City Administrator role.
As the City transitioned to a council-managed structure and operational priorities shifted, the project scope outlined in that agreement was no longer necessary. The City Council therefore made the decision to conclude the short-term agreement.
The City appreciates Ms. Wurster’s willingness to offer her professional experience during this transition.
Commitment to the Community
The City Council’s priority remains maintaining stable operations, transparency, and continuity of services for the Madras community while recruitment efforts continue for these key leadership roles.
The Council also expressed appreciation for the work of City employees who continue to support city operations and provide essential services during this transition period.
The Mayor will serve as the primary spokesperson for recorded media interviews regarding these transitions. Media inquiries may be coordinated through the City Recorder’s office.
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