Winchester City Commission Meeting - October 23, 2025

The Winchester City Commission convened on October 23, 2025, to conduct routine business, including a public hearing on the proposed 2025 property tax rates, adoption of the tax ordinance, approval of multiple resolutions and orders, and recognition of a police promotion. The meeting also featured a detailed presentation from Infiltrator Water Technologies on a major expansion investment.

Public Hearing & Tax Rate Adoption

• A public hearing was held to receive comments on the proposed 2025 real property tax rate of 12.3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (yielding an estimated $1,940,496 from real property) and a personal property rate of 15.55 cents per $100 (yielding an estimated $37,761). No members of the public spoke.
• The hearing was closed, and the commission then adopted Ordinance (Second Reading) accepting the 2025 tax assessment, imposing ad valorem taxes, and setting due dates. The roll call vote was unanimous: all commissioners (Chanell, Strode, Reed, Cox, Toole) voted yes.

Consent Calendar & Routine Approvals

• Minutes: Approved the minutes of the October 7, 2025 special and regular meetings (motion by Cox, second by Strode, unanimous).
• Departmental & Agency Reports: Approved as presented (motion by Toole, second by Chanell, unanimous).

Discussion Items

• Police Promotion: Sergeant Jansen Thomas was promoted from police officer to sergeant. Chief noted he joined as an explorer in 2014, became a dispatcher in 2019, and officer in 2021. The motion passed unanimously. His wife Courtney pinned him.
• Infiltrator Water Technologies Presentation: Cosman Battery, Vice President of Manufacturing, presented the company's history and expansion plans. Key points:
  • Infiltrator (part of ADS, a $3.2 billion company) has 450 employees in Winchester across nine facilities (1.2 million sq ft under roof, 1.4 million sq ft distribution).
  • Investing $43 million in a new 160,000 sq ft expansion (facility #7) creating 30-40 new skilled jobs (robot programmers, maintenance technicians).
  • 95% of products made from recycled plastic; company consumes ~220 million pounds of plastic annually.
  • The company supports municipal wastewater systems with on-site treatment products.
  • Commissioner Strode expressed opposition to the roundabout component of a related bridge project but supported the bridge itself.
• Joint Resolution – Bypass Corridor: Approved a joint resolution with Clark County Fiscal Court recognizing completion of the Winchester Bypass Southeast Corridor. Commissioner Cox noted $83 million in water/sewer/electric infrastructure is needed for development along the corridor. Motion by Strode, second by Toole, unanimous.
• ARC Pre-Application Grant: Authorized filing a pre-application to the Appalachian Regional Commission for up to $572,200 for a bridge and roundabout project. Motion by Toole, second by Strode. Unanimous (with Commissioner Strode reiterating opposition to the roundabout).

Orders (Items 9A-E)

• 9A – Electric Franchise: Order confirming sale and awarding non-exclusive electric franchise to Kentucky Utilities Company (motion by Chanell, second by Strode, unanimous).
• 9B – Mural Grant: Order accepting a $10,000 grant from Clark County Community Foundation for a downtown Winchester mural (motion by Toole, second by Strode, unanimous). Mayor noted the mural will replace a sign reading "Winchester doesn't suck."
• 9C – Vehicle Purchase: Order authorizing purchase of two 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 trucks for public works (snow plow and salt capability, covering 81 lane miles). Motion by Strode, second by Chanell, unanimous.
• 9D & 9E – Beer Cheese Relief Fund: Approved applications for $7,000 (Making Me a Pizza) and $10,000 (High Speed Collectibles) from the Beer Cheese Relief Fund. Both approved unanimously.

Personnel Order

• The promotion of Jansen Thomas to sergeant was handled earlier as a personnel item (Item 10). No other personnel orders.

Commissioner Comments & Next Steps

• Commissioner Strode recognized the community's support for Wallace Harrison Gator (cancer fundraiser raised over $10,000) and thanked Public Works for event support.
• Commissioner Toole noted upcoming meetings and upcoming winter slowdown on projects.
• Mayor Reed: acknowledged a certificate of need meeting for ambulance service; thanked first responders for a rough weekend; recognized assistant police chief Harvey's loss; praised paramedics for saving a stroke victim; welcomed Sherry Mulkin from Clark Deeds.
• The meeting adjourned on a motion by Cox, second by Chanell.