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The Clark County Fiscal Court and Winchester City Commission recently discussed the Comprehensive Plan for Winchester-Clark County.

At the Clark County Fiscal Court meeting on Wednesday, July 10, the Court unanimously agreed to approve and adopt Objective 7D of the Goals and Objectives, which had been discussed previously. 

“To compromise with the City Commission and based on the action [taken] at the last City Commission meeting, I make the following motion to accept the suggested change [of] Objective 7D, adding the verbiage into what the Fiscal Court approved,” said Magistrate Dan Konstatopoulos. 

Speaking in further detail, Konstantopoulos clarified that the wording of Objective 7D is, “Evaluate the benefits and feasibility of merging city-county services, ways to increase transparency in government spending and budgeting, and opportunities to increase public transportation.” 

“That does not bind this Fiscal Court for any studies or anything of that nature,” Konstantopoulos added. “I think we can live with the compromise regarding that.” 

Magistrate Chris Davis confirmed that the City Commission had previously approved the Fiscal Court’s proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan’s goals and objectives and stated that he agreed to approve the listed goals and objectives. 

“I agree in spirit…and certainly the idea of having unified goals and objectives, although we don’t have to, and there’s nothing in the statute that requires us to,” he said. “I think it’s a good look for our community. I appreciate the city’s willingness to devise a compromise agreement.” 

He elaborated, stating that he agrees with Magistrate Konstantopoulos’ assertion that the Court is not bound to undergo further studies. 

He requested a few stipulations before any future studies or evaluations take place. 

Specifically, he requested that a permanent revenue agreement between the county and city be established and—based on conversations with others living in the county—requested that a small satellite fire station be established. 

“Once we get that done, that would complete a full range of coverage for the county,” he said. 

“I’m not looking to change anything more to the goals and objectives…[but] I would offer [those two requests] as an amendment for this Court before we were to engage in any study for merging any type of service.” 

The Court approved a motion 5-2 that a permanent agreement between the city and county regarding permanent revenue sharing be reached and that the construction and opening of a satellite fire station in southern Clark County be approved prior to engaging in any studies about potential merging services. 

Judge-Executive Les Yates and Magistrate Robert Blanton served as ‘no’ votes. 

Robert Jeffries, the City of Winchester’s director of planning and community development, supported the Fiscal Court’s decision regarding goals and objectives. 

“Having [those] solid goals and objectives in the Comprehensive Plan will reduce the amount of challenges that the Planning Commission might [encounter],” he said. 

Magistrate Mark Miller further emphasized the value of the city and county working together. 

“I think it’s a good idea that we’ve come together as a group body [of] both [the] city and county,” he said.