Sep 3, 2025

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

 

Council called to order by Mayor Searight on September 2, 2025 at 7:30 pm.

 

Let us pray - Thank you, God, for allowing us to discuss what is going on in Rockford. We ask that you bless this meeting and all that have attended. Please give us the information that we need to make the best decisions for the village as a whole. We ask all of these things in your Holy name. Amen.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Shane Young. Chris Heitkamp – absent.

 

Also attending: Bret Jones, Francis Schaffner, Robbie Peel, Chief Stetler,

Erin -from the Daily Standard.

 

Motion Marcas. Second Mark to accept the agenda as orders of the day.

Shane called for the question. Marcas = y, Mark = y, Shane = y, Luke = y, Mary = y. Passed 5 yes.

 

Motion Mary to accept the minutes from the August 19, 2025 council meeting as presented. Second Marcas. Shane called for the question. Mary = y, Marcas = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Luke = y. Passed 5 yes.

 

 

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:

 

I hope everyone enjoyed the longer weekend as we celebrated Labor Day yesterday. But one must thank all the laborers that provide us daily for our basic needs. Yes, they are everywhere, just doing what needs to be done and doing it because it’s their job. Many think that what they do doesn’t matter that much, but in most cases that’s not the case. America was built on hard work, with ingenuity in developing new and better ways, and above all with the can-do spirit. We need to keep that in mind each and every day, as our choices in what we do affect others no matter what we think.

 

With that in mind we’re only two months away from election day for this years vote. I want everyone to look and investigate what you’re possibly voting for as things aren’t always what they seem on the surface. We’re seeing a lot of state legislation that quite frankly isn’t in the favor of the average person, many of these are just in the stages of proposals. Many of these proposals would affect

cities and towns just like us in how we receive money and do business. We’re working with other mayors and leaders to let our state Representatives to know how we feel about these proposed changes if enacted and to what the consequences are if enacted.

 

With that said I must thank this council for their dedication to the responsibilities of their position. They, along with the administration, are working together to make Rockford better place. They cleaned up many ordinances and addressed many others as well through committee meetings and reaching out to other communities to see how they’re doing it. They have listened to the majority of you and are willing to listen to you as well. Please consider that when you vote, as I couldn’t do what I’m doing without the support of both of them – council and administration.

 

We now have felt the feel of fall in the air, so let’s enjoy what we’ve got now. It was a very humid summer and with that gone, we can once again get outside and do things without the extreme heat. We have a lot to do in Rockford and the Rockford area so let’s support Rockford and our area. Let’s be proud of what we have and be grateful for it.

 

Thank you.

 

Give more than you take and you’ll receive more than you gave.

 

God Bless you, Mayor Ron Searight

 

 

Upcoming Community information & events:

 

Sunday – September 7th – Maker’s Market – MAINT ST – noon to 3 pm

 

Saturday – September 13 – Fire Department Chicken Dinner / reverse raffle

 

Sunday – September 21st – Maker’s Market – MAIN ST – noon to 3 pm

 

Sunday – October 5th – Maker’s Market – MAIN ST -- noon to 3 pm

 

Saturday – October 25 – Rocktoberfest – noon – 4 pm

 

Saturday – October 25 – Trick or Treat – 5 – 6:30 pm

 

Saturday – October 25th – Costume Judging – Fire Department – 7 pm

 

Tuesday – November 4 – General Election, Community Building

 

 

 

Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple - absent

 

 

Committee Reports:

 

Finance Committee: Shane Young -

 

Motion Shane to pay bills as presented $16,628.90. Second Luke. Marcas called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Mary = y. Passed 5 yes.

 

Motion Shane to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Luke. Marcas called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Mary = y. Passed 5 yes.

 

Cash Summary by Fund, Appropriations report, Revenue Report,

Budget vs Actual activity report, Bank statement, comparison report for the water, sewer, and income tax.

 

Motion Shane to approve supplemental appropriations to date. Second Mark. Mary called for the question. Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y. Passed 5 yes.

 

Motion Shane to approve additional purchase orders. Second Luke. Marcas called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Mary = y. Passed 5 yes.

 

Motion Shane to approve the Village Administrator and/or Fiscal Officer to work with Peoples Bank regarding a loan for the subdivision infrastructure project. Phase 2 coming soon ! Second Luke. Mary called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y. Passed 5 yes.

 

RESOLUTION 05-25

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUND. 2026 estimate $38,448 or 6.63%

 

Motion Shane, Second Marcas. Luke called for the question. Shane – y, Marcas – y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y. Passed 5 yes.

 

RESOLUTION 06-25

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFIYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR.

 

Motion Shane. Second Luke. Mary called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y. Passed 5 yes.

 

 

Rules Committee: Mark Heitkamp

 

Service Committee: Mary Beougher

 

Shanes Park / Village signage --- Motion Mary. Second Shane. Luke called the question to replace the electronic sign with permanent sign - Shanes Park -. Mary = y, Shane = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y. Passed 5 yes.

 

 

Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp - absent

 

Economic Development Committee: Marcas Heitkamp – Council President

 

Waiting on information from Ohio Historical.

 

 

Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson

 

 

Visitor to address Council:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Business:

 

New Business:

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm