Winchester City Commission Meeting – March 17, 2026 (Work Session and Regular Meeting)
Winchester City Commission Meeting – March 17, 2026
The meeting convened at 4:30 p.m. with a prayer led by Chief Thompson, followed by approval of previous minutes and departmental reports. The work session featured an extensive presentation from Police Chief Thompson on department operations, new personnel, canine therapy dog Gus, equipment upgrades, and federal programs. The city manager provided updates on infrastructure projects. The 4:30 session adjourned at approximately 5:21 p.m., with the 5:30 regular meeting to follow.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from the February 17, 2026 special meeting (4:30 p.m.) and regular meeting (5:30 p.m.), and the March 3, 2026 special meeting (4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.). Motion by Commissioner Tools, second by Commissioner Strode; all in favor.
- Approved departmental and agency reports as presented. Motion by Commissioner Chenaud, second by Commissioner Strode; all in favor.
- Informational items in meeting packets were acknowledged without action.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the work session.
Discussion Items
- Police Department Presentation – Chief Thompson reported on the following:
- Therapy Dog Gus: Introduced Gus, a 29‑pound Labrador retriever therapy dog acquired through a $10,700 grant (with $6,000 from the school board and local forfeiture funds totaling ~$22,000). Gus is trained for obedience, school visits, and comfort for families and children. He lives with Captain Charles, and four handlers are certified. Rural King and Tractor Supply will provide dog food. Gus will be groomed monthly.
- Staffing: The department has 33 sworn officers (budgeted for 35). New officer Dana Robbins (formerly of Mount Sterling and Corpus Christi) will start on day shift. Two conditional job offers extended; five non‑certified applicants in background checks. Communication staff remains at 16 full‑time dispatchers and two part‑time.
- Equipment and Training: A crime scene vehicle was purchased and equipped; evidence custodian Chief Palmer has processed major scenes. Duty weapons were replaced via grant from Glock to SIG Sauer P320 (duty) and P365 (off‑duty), switching from .40 to 9mm. Training showed improved accuracy. A joint Special Response Team (SRT) with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office was formed, led by Sergeant West Conway, currently with 14 WPD members. The SRT has deployed twice, successfully resolving incidents. Federal forfeiture funds totaling $1.2 million were received from IRS for past cases, now in a forfeiture account earning ~4.25% interest. Code enforcement under WPD has handled 210 complaints since January 1, 2026.
- ICE 287(g) Program: The department enrolled in the program in December 2025. Two officers completed training and conducted an immigration interview, making WPD the third active agency in Kentucky. This qualifies the department for $100,000 for two vehicles and $7,500 per officer for equipment. Additionally, WPD is checking on illegal immigrant children placed in foster care (10 checks so far, generating revenue). Chief Thompson emphasized the program targets only criminal illegal immigrants, not general sweeps.
- Task Forces: A detective serves on the DEA task force, and another on the U.S. Marshals task force. Narcotics enforcement has reduced overdoses and drug availability. Photos of seized drugs and money were shown.
- City Manager Comments: Mr. Dykman reported:
- Fifth Street Stream Restoration Project: $350,000 project funded by an OSG grant; bids advertised March 17, opening March 31, with construction expected to start in July.
- MLK Bridge Project: Met with engineers and Division of Water; permits in progress. Total project cost ~$1.8–$1.9 million, with city paying $25,000. Expected to improve fire response and traffic for three schools in the area.
- Mayor’s Announcements:
- The GRC girls basketball team recognition will be moved from April 7 to April 21 at 4:30 p.m. (to accommodate the KLC strategic plan presentation). Commissioners are asked to wear GRC attire.
- A suggestion to hold a city commission meeting at Russell County High School was discussed; a committee (led by Joey) will explore feasibility.
- Thanked Whitney Leggett for her service to the city.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to approve minutes and departmental reports passed unanimously.
- Motion to adjourn the 4:30 meeting (made by Commissioner Cox, seconded by Commissioner Tool) passed unanimously at approximately 5:21 p.m. The 5:30 regular meeting was scheduled to follow.
- No votes were taken on the police department presentation or city manager updates; they were for discussion and information.
- The GRC girls basketball team will be honored on April 21 at 4:30 p.m.
- A committee will be formed to explore holding a meeting at the high school.
Meeting Transcript
That will be led by who doesn't know it yet. Commissioner Stroke. Please remain standing as Chief Thompson says our invitation. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the opportunity to go out here tonight and conduct the business of the city. We thank you for these commissioners and how they serve the city and the decisions that they'll make tonight. Just pray you'd be with them, lift them up to you, Lord. Let's be with our citizens. Thank you for getting us all through the morning without anything significant other than a few minor fender vendors. It's in your son's name we pray and we thank you. Amen. I will uh officially call the meeting to order. And we'll just go and take a look and review the minutes from February 17, 2026 special, 430, regular 530, and March 3, 2026 special, 430 and 530. Is there a motion? Motion by Commissioner Tools, second by Commissioner Strode. Any thing anyone wants to corrections, additions all in favor, aye. Any opposed by like sign, motion carries. Item three, departmental and agency reports. Is there anything anyone would like to highlight? If not, we'll take a motion to approve departmental and agency reports. So move. Motion by Commissioner Chenaud. Is there a second? Second by Commissioner Strode. Any further discussion? All in favor, aye. Any opposed by like signs? Motion carries. Hello, Commissioner. That's not a good thing. Item four, informational items. Again, as we say, that's just for information. Uh so those things are in your packets to be able to review. We'll now move to our work session, and it's a pretty exciting evening because we have a not only are we going to introduce a new member of the police force in a little bit, we're introducing a four-legged uh uh new employee of the Winchester police department who has captured all of our hearts. So Chief Thompson, I'm gonna turn uh the program the session over to you and let you update us on the police department and introduce a precious little item. It's up to you. Spent Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, uh training five members in the department. Uh Captain Charles is his primary handler. Uh Cable Lane, myself, and Steve's white warren who works with school systems, all got officially certified with us last week to handle them. Gus is uh the trainer that goes within all that came out in Indiana. Gus is a working dog. And uh there's a big difference when he gets some play on it, he does get a little bit, but he has a very short schedule. He's got windows that he eats in, he's got a bedtime, he's got a bath time. Uh some reason Steve stays in his office for two hours with the door, shut the lights off there. Uh-huh. Now we know. He comes to us very well trained. We were all very impressed with it. Very pleased with his training how uh he's coming around. He's very calm. It's excellent with the children.
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