Kentucky HomeHunter History Winchester sits on the site of the oldest known settlement in Clark County, dated variously from 1685 to 1754. Winchester officially was founded as a town in 1793. Top of Page Government Winchester has had the City Manager-Commission form of government since 1969. The Board of Commissioners is made up of the mayor and four commissioners. The mayor and commissioners are elected at large, on a non-partisan basis.
All executive authority rests with the mayor.
All legislative authority rests with the board of commissioners. The city manager is the primary administrator for the city, and is appointed by the board of commissioners. Top of Page Economic Outlook Long an agriculturally based region relying largely on tobacco and livestock, Winchester has diversified in recent years to add a strong manufacturing sector, as well as retail and service industries. The unemployment rate in Clark County is about 6 percent. The average annual temperature is a moderate 55 degrees, dipping to about 30 degrees in January and rising to a comfortable 76 degrees in July.