[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6557581,"mediaKeyId","3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff","parentId",3289751,"title","Mayor proclaims EMS Week, ALS Awareness Month and National Bike Month; announces bike-rack event","audioSeconds",347,"startMs",83000,"endMs",430000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff&start=83&end=430","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff/thumbnail_83000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6557581/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Mayor-proclaims-EMS-Week-ALS-Awareness-Month-and-National-Bike-Month-announces-bike-rack-event","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557581-10117e3da2f0190b910ef3785b2f9596/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182261&Signature=fw3OkYsd38EOncatZdep30EHM8FEQ24Io8415bj1alQsxp6Vy6SHtKdwQ6JUN~JStMym7DC3l1FZbxHZbCL4Qeo0J3unYD67KM9Vb1dE1VxJYcl8ddG8~fUtVOKccxzNHeLg5zLr6hp6LE5NOB8xtq5eJR~Ul8JhgZDWDFOVIfMP8zSxzOxz72HjgnnS1BjZ0tf~h7PQsd071b0dVNtrCeiumWWT8EZgsYifKZyrTdSlkwv5Q3QMxM7lPq8urpwpTHZekXbHDeMKggSRd8ghXxaHEFPJXQTurtC1hO2Fgs8ABNZ-SpcHc-MkKxXaJE4MhPZd83ga2odqEnWzJSmDHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","Mayor Les Veach read three proclamations at the May 13 Winchester City Council meeting recognizing Emergency Medical Services Week, ALS Awareness Month and National Bike Month and highlighted city partnerships and events tied to bicycling and walking.

In the EMS Week proclamation the mayor noted the 24/7 role of emergency medical services and the range of providers included in Winchester’s out-of-hospital emergency-care system. The ALS awareness proclamation referenced the disease’s progression and urged public awareness and support for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

For National Bike Month the proclamation noted that Winchester is committed to promoting safe bicycling and walking and that two new neighborhood design districts — Cedar Valley and Cider Hill — will incorporate planning strategies to increase cycling and pedestrian opportunities. The mayor also announced a bike-rack event at Handley Library on Thursday and a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. featuring a rack designed by students at the Innovation Center.

Why it matters: proclamations signal the city’s priorities and public outreach on emergency services, public-health awareness and active-transportation initiatives; the Bike Month proclamation also highlights forthcoming neighborhood design work and a planned bicyclist/pedestrian advisory committee.

These proclamations are ceremonial formalities adopted by the mayor and do not themselves create binding policy, but they point to administrative initiatives and partnerships (for example, Bike Walk Winchester) that staff say will be part of planning and community engagement going forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester - City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - May 13 2025 - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Les Veach read proclamations recognizing Emergency Medical Services Week, ALS Awareness Month and National Bike Month and highlighted upcoming bike-related events and partnerships.","taxTitle","Winchester City, Frederick County, Virginia","taxId",5107,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557587,"Residents urge council not to cancel Loop bus route, raise reliability concerns about WinReady service",703,1566000,2269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff&start=1566&end=2269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff/thumbnail_1566000.jpg","/articles/6557587/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Residents-urge-council-not-to-cancel-Loop-bus-route-raise-reliability-concerns-about-WinReady-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557587-46272fdadf8be7e7f599b9834c99b64c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182261&Signature=fTSmRw9FJJDajJEKSG86la9LwTGXKeu1RO1AiawRky99-QYZYQCbkwesGDDQSqNahqNTcxhCQZ-z3Xip~8XZuL~ANFf~ETGtK8C6m~XKoUVZLlvIk3DgFfMk4mtVd1ER2KShkuSx8yZ0XRdC98Q079Hj1vUQV7hYtaZKvM4wegG-sAANA--lhukEyf6CABdpHOtNRs7fOlhcBCwqGtzpGo8ohaGkjI4hLu7ETcKtPVufgwfAd0KpeKAjvLAf6gOB7wtQCWru2EXJ6ln7X4pooYK8Ym50~pQpFO36D7NQe6-A6JOjZp8VCUyvxWjxraNC-cCrTnWkR4Z57DRnRagVPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at the May 13 Winchester City Council meeting, several riders and residents urged the council and transit staff not to cancel the Loop fixed-route bus service and to address reliability issues with the WinReady demand-response system.

Elizabeth Mixer, who said she lives in Ward 2 at the Winchester House, told councilors the Loop bus has been a reliable, predictable service. “That bus service, from my own experience and discussion with many others, is the only reliable and dependable service. The WinReady is not,” Mixer said during the public-comment period. She and other speakers described long waits and app-based unreliability with WinReady, citing waits of an hour or more while grocery items thawed and a difficulty scheduling paratransit trips.

Several speakers proposed a compromise discussed at an April meeting: retain one Loop route and reduce frequency to hourly service rather than canceling the route entirely. Speakers said the Loop often functions as a predictable backup when WinReady is delayed and that many riders—especially older residents or those with mobility limitations—rely on the Loop’s fixed stops.

Transit staff and councilors scheduled a follow-up discussion and public meeting on May 29 at 2 p.m. (as noted by speakers), and several councilors indicated they would review the proposal and hear additional public input at the upcoming transit meeting.

Why it matters: decisions about fixed-route vs. demand-response transit affect mobility for elderly, low-income and disabled residents; councilors were asked to weigh reliability and equity in the planned service changes.

No formal action on transit scheduling was taken at the May 13 meeting; the council and staff signaled additional public discussion will occur before any final service changes.","Multiple residents at the May 13 public comment period urged the council to retain the Loop fixed-route service, saying the paratransit-style WinReady system is unreliable for elderly and disabled riders and would leave gaps in service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557592,"Council adopts amendments to debt and fund-balance policies, creates 2% revenue stabilization reserve",206,3414000,3620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff&start=3414&end=3620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff/thumbnail_3414000.jpg","/articles/6557592/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-adopts-amendments-to-debt-and-fund-balance-policies-creates-2-revenue-stabilization-reserve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557592-531160c47f751e51165232dd2ab11813/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182261&Signature=HOFy9otApXzq6cIMaQQvZlnp3r6RR17SNtwtHKummeDN7drIMAUABJyLar9~XHh6-T9XslXGFzC1gNOIq9PSZgbXAPy1GTpFD5lN-~mYTbu1h3LKn~CaJJyxW1RXIrE7USP0r24MXaUFlIG5OfcZlghDh3FvtnpB82eGmzg-o4e58ttCVkU7uEAba4F8ykW4SX4DfQHKPEIGrx9MQ6DBgd835C8OMqqOHpsE1FZVSV5YLbWwrEBqvgj785RTBYJPC2l5gxKYd24tEd1eQp3tnL8FAk5rI99YSBYuOHapw4NfMNRKeQ9q5hVRopF5HaVJ6PNiNPV9WkXGQg4qNtGwDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester City Council on May 13 approved policy changes that add a committed revenue stabilization reserve to the city’s fund-balance policy and clarify parameters for debt issuance tied to self-supporting projects.

Finance staff explained the change creates a third committed reserve, the “revenue stabilization fund,” set at 2 percent of general fund expenditures and calculated after year-end audit numbers are available. The staff presentation said the change is intended to strengthen reserve posture in light of large debt obligations planned in coming years.

Staff also presented clarifying language for the debt policy to define which financings will be excluded from the city’s debt limits (for example, debt that is self-supporting). The policy language sets parameters for issuance relative to general fund expenditures and establishes transfer rules when a fund’s debt reaches certain limits.

Councilors praised the proactive approach. “I appreciate all the efforts you all do to keep our financial rating extremely high,” one councilor said before moving approval. The resolution passed on a council motion and second.

Why it matters: the amendments formalize a new reserve and refine how the city treats certain financing mechanisms, which can affect future capital planning, debt capacity and the city’s credit profile.

The resolution was adopted and staff will incorporate the new reserve and debt-policy language into the city’s financial policy documents and annual budget process.","Winchester’s council adopted a resolution amending the city’s debt and fund-balance policies and establishing a revenue stabilization committed reserve equal to 2 percent of general fund expenditures.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557596,"Council approves $50,000 fund to help businesses hit by city construction, councilor recuses",685,2511000,3196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff&start=2511&end=3196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff/thumbnail_2511000.jpg","/articles/6557596/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-approves-50000-fund-to-help-businesses-hit-by-city-construction-councilor-recuses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557596-f916b884ea3afa06613c9b5f0c07cf88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182261&Signature=CUBalRCfspHgHBQEcmbsI5VCVjFLC-B7LKiV4TZyhFS5FH5kLI18CfxVA24C2b0GK3Gi8XEFf1TPqCzgsoUZ3qLjvJPYgsfsArSXShVpuVGthCKT-09vZHAXflx2k7ZM3dn5FY895EXg~JBR8wo4cpC9ErkWnWSoXeW-4uwLvh9s2D8iMKuM2dvZXdat2y3OPXiw7OjssHGdwS-666cMoeMaqieffFeMp6GreQkhjnO1Ggz1tAT0zJ8K2xTNZzKOt3hjfENnBRHw4~L5VrMmoWsHSpfsUhnWZbE~t2AZGN6-maX9q4Q1IqSkr3IzBRMWuYU99RdXAMvUgRm26HP0TQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester City Council voted May 13 to establish a small-business assistance program for businesses affected by city construction and authorized the Winchester Economic Development Authority (EDA) to administer the fund subject to appropriation.

Under the approved resolution, the city will make $50,000 available from the contingency fund to help businesses demonstrate true losses related to city construction projects; eligible businesses may apply for assistance up to $10,000 per business. Staff said applications must document financial losses and that the EDA board will review and approve awards before funds are drawn from the city contingency allocation.

City staff described the program as modeled in part on a Maryland example and focused on projects that disrupt ingress or egress to a business for at least three total days during a project (not necessarily consecutive). “This is targeted to small business,” an EDA presenter said, noting the goal was to help businesses that could be threatened by construction impacts.

Councilor Sloane publicly disclosed a personal interest in property at 567 North Kent and a business named T Bone’s Bar and Grill, and recused herself from discussion and the vote. Several councilors supported the resolution as an initial program and urged staff and the EDA to review and tweak the program after the first year. Councilors also suggested future capital projects that have high potential to disrupt businesses might include a built-in contribution to this fund as projects are planned.

Why it matters: the program creates a formal, city-backed pathway for small businesses to recover documented losses tied to city construction projects. Council and staff signaled the $50,000 is an initial allocation from contingency and not an ongoing automatic appropriation; future funding would be evaluated in subsequent budget cycles.

The resolution passed after motion and second on the floor; the EDA and finance staff will manage the application and approval process and bring any recommended changes back to council for future funding decisions.","The council authorized a city-funded $50,000 reserve to be administered by the Winchester Economic Development Authority to reimburse small businesses for documented losses when city construction blocks access; Councilor Sloane recused herself because of a disclosed property/business interest.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557601,"Winchester council adopts FY2026 appropriation ordinance after public hearing",322,800000,1122000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff&start=800&end=1122","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289751-87f692ea4365ff6579bfa172cf601dff/thumbnail_800000.jpg","/articles/6557601/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Winchester-council-adopts-FY2026-appropriation-ordinance-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557601-705fb327687d8663cdcc748dc1246fbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182261&Signature=eAqcBsnEW3o4iGD9Vu-JF9GrZ8R62ljoRtdsxSpS1WDjuNG~sm7DXG9pvjY4IflwWMgy7JlOI2ucPSkBtsVQtkd3ImiW9IsSgiSim2GKsprHaAk5kZQMzrJ~-4x8y7ar-1mvWEoZBiR0nu3WBfTZ8IzZ00A7j7FATPXrNH2f3T8659vfuFCddaSMBCEorrbxQqB~3v-JStveEk-3vKXSeTPLDUmYw8~49OLK5gVew-d3OrXcVKHbowBovVrsaBEjlj~u02-ziNQma6gLCB9VjwvljS5KXVqo0dnaZ5oFNb9KIzHWwIqf8DHpKe~TtzjqzL13Qy5~NRhah47iDgBHZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester City Council on May 13 approved an ordinance to appropriate funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, following a public hearing and a brief discussion of fund-balance targets and revenue assumptions.

City Manager said the budget process began in November and included nearly a dozen public meetings and council direction from a January retreat. “We really kicked things off, in January,” the City Manager said while presenting the proposed general fund and all-funds summaries. The presentation noted modest revenue shifts, limited use of fund balance for certain items and an overall general-fund change aligned with current inflation.

The ordinance covers the city budget and the school budget; the presenter said the combined “all funds” increase was under 1.1 percent with schools showing a modest net decline driven by other revenue sources. Councilors asked about the city’s unassigned fund balance and were told the projection at the end of the year is approximately 26.8 percent, above the 25 percent target cited in the budget documents.

The council opened a public hearing on the ordinance; one speaker briefly commented on a prior interruption during public comment and expressed concern about an unrelated development project. After the hearing, councilors moved to adopt the ordinance. The motion was made and seconded on the floor and, following a roll call, the mayor announced the motion carried.

Why it matters: the ordinance sets the city’s spending priorities and tax-supported allocations for FY2026, and the council’s discussion confirmed the city intends to remain above its stated fund-balance target while using modest fund-balance adjustments to balance the budget.

The ordinance passed on second reading and will be reflected in the city’s FY2026 appropriations once finalized and published in the official minutes.","The Winchester City Council approved an ordinance to appropriate funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, after a public hearing and brief council discussion on fund balance and revenue assumptions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor proclaims EMS Week, ALS Awareness Month and National Bike Month; announces bike-rack event

Residents urge council not to cancel Loop bus route, raise reliability concerns about WinReady service

Council adopts amendments to debt and fund-balance policies, creates 2% revenue stabilization reserve

Council approves $50,000 fund to help businesses hit by city construction, councilor recuses

Winchester council adopts FY2026 appropriation ordinance after public hearing