Winchester City Commission Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Winchester City Commission met on June 16, 2026, at 5:30 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a public hearing, a presentation on grant applications, multiple resolutions and ordinances, personnel orders, and closing comments from officials. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Public Hearing

• Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Hearing (Municipal Road Aid Funds): The public hearing was opened to receive comments on the possible use of municipal road aid funds. No members of the public commented, and the hearing was adjourned.

Presentation: Rural Health Transformation Program Grant Applications

• Alicia from Winchester Fire/EMS presented two applications submitted to the Rural Health Transformation Program, a federal initiative funded through CMS. The first application ($644,000) would establish a community paramedicine program to provide in-home preventative care and reduce ER visits. The second application ($751,000) would fund a mobile EMS training unit to expand regional workforce development. Combined requests total nearly $1.4 million, with no local match required. As a result of this opportunity, the EMS department withdrew its prior opioid abatement fund applications to allow those funds to go to other organizations. Decisions are expected by July 1, 2026, with funding available August 1, 2026. Commissioners expressed support and appreciation for the partnership.

Consent and Action Items

• Item 5 – SAFER Grant Resolution: Resolution authorizing filing for a Staffing for Adequate Fire Emergency Response (SAFER) grant of up to $2,293,658.64 from FEMA. Approved.
• Item 6A – Ordinance Amending FY2026 Budget (First Reading): Ordinance to amend the current fiscal year budget, adjusting revenues and appropriations across multiple funds. Approved.
• Item 6B – Pay Classification Plan Ordinance (First Reading): Ordinance adopting a pay classification plan conforming to the FY2027 budget. Approved.
• Item 7A – Ordinance Adopting FY2027 Annual Budget (Second Reading): Ordinance establishing the city budget for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. The budget projects General Fund resources of $29,688,000 and appropriations of $29,517,890. A roll call vote resulted in unanimous approval (Commissioners Schnapp, Strode, Toole, Cox; Mayor Reed).
• Item 7B – Ordinance Amending Water Rate Schedules (Second Reading): Ordinance amending Section 14-81.1 to include public pools and splash pads in water utility rate schedules. The Winchester Municipal Utilities Commission previously approved the change. Roll call vote: all in favor.
• Item 8A-H – Orders:
  • 8A: Contract with Palmer Engineering for Town Branch stormwater improvements ($20,000). Approved.
  • 8B: Acceptance of final completion and change order for Eugene Gay splash park ($1,682,275). Approved.
  • 8C: Agreement for medical director services for FY2027. Approved.
  • 8D: Standard agreement with records service operator (rotational basis). Approved after brief discussion.
  • 8E: Agreement for city attorney for FY2027. Approved.
  • 8F: Renewal of self-insured health plan coverage (95/5 premium split). Approved with note to monitor sustainability.
  • 8G: Renewal of general liability, workers’ compensation, and other insurance coverage. Approved.
  • 8H: Memorandum of Understanding with Miami Valley Fire EMS Alliance / Ohio Urban Search and Rescue Task Force. Approved.
• Item 9A-D – Personnel Orders:
  • 9A: Employment of Hunter Rainey as Police Officer I. Approved.
  • 9B: Employment of Austin Heisel as Police Officer I. Both officers were introduced and welcomed by the police chief; they start June 28.
  • 9C: Accept position description for community paramedic personnel. Approved.
  • 9D: Amend position description for city manager. Approved.

Public Comments

• No members of the public signed up to speak on items not on the agenda.

Closing Comments

• Commissioner Toole reminded residents of the Fourth of July celebration on July 3 at Lacens, a semi-semicentennial event organized by Diana Lane, including fireworks.
• Commissioner Cox noted the Habitat for Humanity "Hard Hat Hustle" event on June 20, 10-2 at BC TC. He also announced the upcoming Work Camp (June 29–July 11) with 296 youth volunteers; opening ceremonies July 6 at 8 AM at the high school.
• Commissioner Strode reported on the successful Beer Cheese Festival weekend, thanked police, fire, public works, and volunteers. She promoted Juneteenth celebration on June 20 at Heritage Hall/Heritage Park (4-9 PM).
• Mayor Reed reported on two incidents handled by the Winchester Police Department: helping an 83-year-old woman locate her car during extreme heat, and gently intervening with a woman removing items from graves at the cemetery. He commended the officers for their compassion. He also noted city hall will be closed June 19 for Juneteenth.
• The meeting adjourned with a motion.