A new ordinance would make the city responsible for repairing and replacing the sidewalks in part of downtown Winchester, rather than placing the burden on the property owners.

The ordinance, which was approved on first reading Tuesday by the Winchester Board of Commissioners, would only apply to the area of downtown included in the tax increment financing district. Everywhere else in the city, property owners are responsible for their sidewalks and maintenance, City Manager Matt Belcher said.

“This is a significant departure from what we have done in the past with a TIF district,” Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner said. “What we’re saying is the city will shift the responsibility property over to the city.”

The move is limited to within the boundaries of the TIF district in downtown, where a portion of tax revenue will be reinvested into the area. Property owners would still be responsible for clearing ice and snow, Belcher said.

“This needs to be done for our community,” Commissioner Kitty Strode said. “We have so many businesses that have invested in downtown.”

“I see it as an encouragement to present and future investors,” Commissioner JoEllen Reed said.

With letters of support from downtown, tourism and industrial development officials, the first reading was approved unanimously.

Earlier in the meeting, the commissioners unanimously approved the first reading of the city’s fiscal year 2020 budget. The budget includes an estimated carryover of $4.6 million, along with $21.5  million in estimated revenue and $21.4 million in expenses.

The commissioners must approve a second reading before the end of the fiscal year June 30.

Belcher said the budget includes a 3 percent raise for all city employees, the purchase of a new street sweeper for the public works department and funds construction of a new storage building for Winchester Fire-EMS. It also includes the city’s match on several grants, which was added in anticipation of upcoming audits.

In other action, the commissioners:

— approved agreements to retain a city attorney and medical director for fiscal year 2020.

— reappointed Dwain Wheeler to the Winchester-Clark County Planning Commission for a four-year term.

— reappointed Joe Chenault to the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency Board for a four-year term.

— accepted the resignation of Wayne Estes from the Winchester Tree Board.

— appointed Andy O’ Bringer to fill Estes’ unexpired term on the Winchester Tree Board.

— renewed agreements with the city’s dental and health insurance.

— approved the standard agreement with two truck companies.

— rescinded orders hiring Michael Keffer and Rex Scott as patrolman III and hiring them as police officer I.

— accepted the resignations of Winchester Police data entry clerk Glendon Robinson and patient transfer specialist Matthew Beard.

— transferred Matthew Vanhauter from single role paramedic to firefighter I/paramedic.

— hired Matthew Moses, Christopher Hall, Zachary Sego and Kellen Walker as firefighter I/EMT.