Winchester City Commission Meeting - July 7, 2026
Winchester City Commission Meeting - July 7, 2026
The Winchester Board of Commissioners met on July 7, 2026, to consider several resolutions for grant applications, approve agreements and fund allocations, and handle personnel matters, including promotions and retirements. All votes were unanimous unless noted.
Consent Calendar
No separate consent calendar was used; all items were voted on individually.
Public Comments & Testimony
No members of the public spoke during the meeting.
Discussion Items
- Grant Resolutions (2A-2D): The commission approved applications for four grants: (2A) up to $43,060 from the GRANT program for public safety to support a COPS hiring grant for one new officer; (2B) up to $549,312 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Infrastructure Improvement Project; (2C) up to $8,897 (purpose not specified but under the same grant program); and (2D) up to $187,219.37 for a COPS hiring grant from the Department of Justice. The mayor commended the grant writer for securing funds.
- Order 3B – Opioid Abatement Funds: The commission approved the allocation of $227,908 in opioid abatement funds to seven organizations: Clark County Homeless Coalition ($40,000), Clark County Health Department ($40,000), Clark County Detention Center ($5,408), Celebrate Recovery ($40,000), Clark County Community Services ($40,000), Court Appointed Special Advocates ($40,000), and Clark County Equity Coalition ($40,000). Commissioners Strode and Toole served on the selection committee.
- Order 3G – Lincoln Street Property Transfer: The commission approved the transfer of properties in the Lincoln Street CDBG redevelopment project phase two to Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties for affordable housing. Mayor Reed and Chris Lowry (project associate) discussed rising construction costs, noting a two-bedroom house now costs $80,000–$90,000 to build.
- Personnel Orders: The commission approved educational certification and longevity salary increases (4A, 4B), promoted Michael Wattenberger from police officer to captain (4C), appointed a temporary city clerk (4D), accepted the retirement of police captain Stephen Campbell (4E), and accepted resignations of communications officers Ethan Crow and Taylor Lacey (4F, 4G) who are moving to the Clark County Sheriff's Department.
Key Outcomes
- All four grant applications (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) were approved unanimously.
- The memorandum of agreement with KY Transportation Cabinet for $251,000 (3A) was approved.
- Opioid abatement funds of $227,908 were awarded to seven local organizations (3B).
- Agreements with Summers McCrary and Sparks PSC for auditing and audit consultant services (3C, 3D) were approved.
- Grants from KY Division of Forestry ($4,200, 3E) and KY Department for Libraries and Archives ($13,965, 3F) were accepted.
- Property transfer to Habitat for Humanity (3G) was approved.
- Michael Wattenberger was promoted to police captain (4C).
- The commission moved to closed session for personnel matters at the end of the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Chris Lowry Associates who is doing our Lincoln Street project. Chris, I really fly out of the United States of America. Please remain standing and uh Pastor Harris. Oh, there you are. Couldn't see you. It's good to see the mayor. Pastor Harris is with Landmark Baptist Church here tonight, and thank you for coming in to lead our invitation. Thank you very much. Just uh let you know I was I've got my son Chase with me. We were driving over here. I said, Jackson is the meeting for the city's business, and I started mentioning some of the names. He said, I know that. I said, What's that? He said, Mayor Reed. He said, Joel. And then I said I looked at him and I smiled and he said, You got a gift son. I guess we gotta work on humility. And uh let's have a word of prayer. Let's ask God for this. Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the opportunity to do the town's business. Well whether that be just the utilities to fire EMS to the police, administration, everything in between. But now tonight being the commission for the make major decisions that impact every department, uh the lives of not only the employees, but also the lives of people that live in this great city. How as Solomon of the old testament asked for wisdom, I desperately need that myself. And Lord, he could have asked for wealth, but instead he didn't. And because he asked for your wisdom, you gave him both wisdom and wealth. And so God, we ask that these commission members, the mayor, and all the staff would seek your face and say, God, give us wisdom as we read this city. And uh Lord, we know wisdom begins with what? Fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisconsin. God being blessed in all that is going to be done tonight. Certain Lord, it is a tremendous time to honor and recognize those that are being promoted. Um I think it's uh Catherine Martin Barker, if I'm not mistaken, and maybe a few others. Lord, I pray that you bless their service to the work and their family. Well, we love you. We ask that you bless tonight's meetings in Jesus' name. We pray these thanks. Amen. Thank you, Pastor. Everyone please be seated. I will officially call this meeting to order. And uh, we have four resolutions we need to do, and those will be read by the city clerk as we go through. So uh Mattea, if you'll start with resolution 2A. A resolution of the City of Winchester, Kentucky authorizing the completion and filing of a government resources accelerating needed transformation grant program of 2026 project application for up to 43,060 in grant program funds with the cabinet for economic development, whereas the city of Winchester has resolved to complete and file an application for a government resources accelerating needed transformation grant, and whereas the application for the grant program of 2026 project and whereas the application is in the amount of 43,060 in grant program funds with the cabinet for economic development. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Winchester, Kentucky, that the city shall apply for funding in the amount of 43,060. The mayor of the city of Winchester shall execute any and all documents for this grant. The city desires to promote and carry out public safety efforts on behalf of the citizens of Winchester Clark County by supporting the grant program of 2026. The city has applied for a COPS hiring grant to hire one new officer. The city recognizes the grant program of 2026 funding available to the city for the purposes stated herein, pursuant to KRS 147A.150 to 147a.166 impose certain obligations and responsibilities. The city shall file a satisfactory application and submit to CED for approval. The city is properly registered to do business within the Commonwealth, and the city shall be obligated in connection with receiving the grant program of 2026 funds for the purpose stated above. Is there a motion?
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