Government - Winchester's city government is one in which the mayor is chairman of the city council. The five city councilmen, the mayor, the city clerk, and city judge are all elected and serve four year terms. The city's administration have a record of concerned response to the needs of the area's important industrial community.

Recently we have built a new jail. Winchester also has a fine group of firefighters and volunteer firefighters!

Communications

• Newspaper - Winchester is served by one hometown daily newspaper, the News-Gazette as well as metropolitan newspapers in surrounding communities in Indiana and Ohio. The News-Gazette has a six day circulation of over 6,000 and also publishes a free distribution weekly for a county circulation of 13,000.
• Radio - Winchester radio station Star 98.3 FM broadcasts within a 50 mile radius 5:00 a.m. - midnight daily.
• Television - Winchester receives coverage from all three television networks and a variety of other channels through cable television. Stations in Dayton, Ohio, and Muncie, Indianapolis, and Ft. Wayne, Indiana can be viewed without cable assistance.

Transportation

• Aviation - Winchester's airport is located two and one half miles East. It has a paved runway 4,000 feet long and 50 feet wide. Jet A fuel as well as 100 low lead aviation fuel are available on site. The airport is staffed and open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. year round. The Muncie, Indiana airport is 25 miles West. It has lighted runways 6,500 and 4,200 feet long with FAA towers and navigation station. The nearest international airport is at Dayton, Ohio, 60 miles East of Winchester.
• Freight Service - Motor freight service is provided by 11 trucking firms as well as being the corporate headquarters for a major distribution system.
• Rail - Winchester is served by Conrail's major East-West line and the system provides excellent connections with other railway systems.
• Highway System - Two major highways intersect at Winchester: U.S. 27 travels north to south through Indiana from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico and Indiana 32 transverses the Hoosier state from east to west. Winchester is within 50 miles of three major interstate highways; I-69, I-70, and I-75. Another east-west state highway (Indiana 28) runs just north of Winchester and adds to the city's easy access to all major transportation arteries in the Mid-west.

Energy and Water Resources - Randolph County is fortunate to be served by outstanding utilities which are aggressive in responding to the needs of the business and residential customer.

• Power - Indiana Michigan Power, an operating subsidiary of American Electric Power, serves Winchester and Randolph County. AEP is the nation's largest private electric utility. Indiana Michigan has one of the lowest electric rates in the nation and energy supply that will allow for considerable industrial development. Power to the city is supplied through one 34.5KV and two 69KV lines. Both lines are fed from three step-down stations. The 138KV transmission lines are also integrated into the electric company network. Distribution voltage within the community is 4KV and 13KV.
• Water - Hoosier Water Company, a privately owned utility, offers an excellent reserve of water for Winchester. Two gravel packed and four tubular wells serve as the water sources. Each well has a capacity of 500 gallons per minute. An undeveloped well field is on standby for future expansion.
• Gas - Natural gas is obtained through Ohio Valley Gas Corporation, which has its corporate headquarters located in Winchester. The supply comes from ANR Pipeline and has a 1,000 BTU content. Rates for new industry requiring sizable amounts of gas may be subject to special contract between the utility and the industry. An abundant supply of natural gas is available for home heating.
• Sewage disposal - A new city sewage treatment plant serves the community. The plant, currently operating at 60% of capacity, can treat 5 million gallons a day. The city works closely with state authorities to preserve the quality of the area's water and provide capabilities for future growth.
• Communications - Winchester is served by GTE North with a district office located in Winchester. Digital switching and a complete fiber optics network is currently on line in the Winchester district.

Taxes - The assessed taxable valuation on real and personal property is one-third of the market value. Recent local tax rate include $2.20 for the city of Winchester, $1.24 for Randolph County, $3.51 for Randolph Central School Corporation. Local tax rates are among the lowest in Indiana, yet police, fire protection and street maintenance are among the best. There is a county income tax of one percent and a states sales tax of six percent. In addition, Randolph County has passed the Economic Development Income Tax at a rate of .25%. This tax is used by the county as well as the cities and towns to help encourage industrial development.