By John Chaney | The Winchester Sun
Winchester, Ky. — The Winchester Board of Commissioners moved forward on several priorities during its Tuesday evening meeting, approving participation in a regional opioid abatement strategic plan, adopting the fiscal year 2027 budget, and advancing emergency medical training partnerships.
A proposed ordinance on recovery residences, however, drew sharp public debate and was tabled for further revision.
Jennifer Miles, a lifelong Clark County resident and former project director for the Healing Communities Study, encouraged the city to partner with Clark County on a strategic plan for opioid settlement funds.
“I’m here to ask if Winchester City Commissioners would like to participate in a strategic plan initiative for this funding,” Miles said. She noted the free initiative, backed by the Kentucky Association of Counties Opioid Solutions Network and the University of Kentucky, would help identify service gaps. “It does not dictate where the dollars go. The only thing that dictates where the dollars go would be the settlement agreements themselves, and the KRS statute.”
City Manager Mike Flynn voiced support for the collaborative effort. “I mean, I think if it can augment what we’re already doing… there’s no doubt that they’ll provide insight,” he said. The commission approved the measure unanimously.
Winchester Fire Department Major James Brown presented details of a new partnership with Bluegrass Community and Technical College and George Rogers Clark High School to deliver EMT and future paramedic training.
“This does provide us with… an additional source of new paramedic recruits,” Brown said. He stressed the financial advantages: “The city will reduce costs. Always good. Taxpayer money is taxpayer money.”
The commission approved the memorandum of agreement with BCTC.
Commissioners also gave first-reading approval to the city’s FY2027 budget. The general fund is projected at approximately $29.5 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The meeting’s most spirited discussion surrounded a proposed ordinance to regulate and certify recovery residences. William Baker, representing the Poynterville neighborhood, called for stronger protections after a homeless shelter proposal was denied in his area.
“We as members of our community believe that a homeless shelter would not enhance our neighborhood,” Baker said. “We believe that it would degrade our neighborhood and it will create safety concerns for our seniors and all members of our residential neighborhood community.”
Jessica Nelson, a licensed mental health and drug and alcohol therapist in long-term recovery, expressed concerns that portions of the ordinance could conflict with federal fair housing protections for individuals with disabilities.
“Recovery residences are homes for individuals who are often protected under the Fair Housing Act,” Nelson stated. “A local government may not impose a special zoning approval process on housing for persons with disabilities while allowing comparable housing for persons without disabilities.”
Mike Palmer of Better Days Sober Living added that while regulation is needed, the current draft goes too far.
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“This thing is out of control with unsupervised people but… there is some stuff in here that’s overboard that makes the hardship on all of us,” he said.
Following the comments, Commissioner Cox withdrew his motion to approve the ordinance.
Officials indicated the measure would be revised with the public input and reconsidered, possibly at the July meeting.
In other business, the commission approved local incentives for Washington Penn under the Kentucky Business Investment Program and awarded a demolition contract for the Lincoln Street redevelopment project.
The next regular meeting of the Winchester Board of Commissioners is scheduled for June 16.
