RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

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

Let us pray - Thank you, God, for all that you have provided us and this village in the past. We ask that you be with each one here and that you provide us the wisdom and the knowledge to guide our community into the future. As 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: Francis Schaffner, Robbie Peel, Chief Stetler, Patrolman Miller, Ross Finke, Erin -from the Daily Standard.

Motion Shane. Second Marcas to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y. Passed 5 yes.

Motion Mary. Second Marcas to accept the minutes from the September 16, 2025 council meeting as presented. Luke called for the question. Mary = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Shane = y. Passed 5 yes.

Mayor's Report and Correspondence:

Fall is here, we are seeing leaves starting to fall, as they soon will be covering all areas under any tree. Unfortunately, they just do not stay there as they blow around and can be a nuisance if uncontrolled. These leaves travel about anywhere you do not want them. Then there is the safety aspect that needs to be considered. Wet leaves can create a slick surface for bikes and other vehicles, including people walking. They can also hide tripping objects that may be covered by those leaves. So, please rake up your leaves in a timely manner and place them next to your curb, but not on the street. Also, do not place your piles around any mailbox, street sign, or tree either. Our equipment could strike any of those objects creating a dangerous situation. The village workers would appreciate you only placing leaves only, as the equipment designed for leaves only and anything else could create damage to the equipment.

For your information the Rockford Fire Department will be flushing all fire hydrants in town on November 9th, which is a Sunday and will last most of the day. If you have any decolorization in your water just let it run for a little while and it will clear up very quickly. As, it is just sediment that has built up and now it's mixed with your water, so let it run until it clears up.

We need to thank Todd Henkle for trimming of limbs on the downtown trees so that people can walk under them safely. Along with that he pressure washed some of the downtown sidewalks making them as clean as they could be. His community pride is shown by the actions he took in making the town better for all of us. Challenge is, what can you do to make the town better from his lead. Think about it and then act upon it but let us know what you're doing as well.

If you haven't noticed, Phase II of the subdivision has started with the cutting of the access road going around Rockford Villas. This is as stated, just an access road for now and not meant for public use. This new road is for the infrastructure that is going to be installed for the new phase, thus saving Roger's Avenue from heavy trucks. Once the infrastructure is in and in place then fifteen new building lots will be available for people to build on. This is important to us, as we have a housing shortage and people want to live in our community and we need to find them a place to live here.

To wrap things up, elections are near, and we all need to vote, as it is our constitutional right to do so. So please do, but do not vote without investigating what you are voting for. As what may seem great on the surface might not be what you really want. So, investigate the people and items that are going to be in the ballot and then vote accordingly. The way to find out what's on your ballot this November is to go to "elections.mercercountyohio. gov". Enter your name and birthdate, then submit. Once on the next page you'll see Registrant Detail under this sub-title, you'll see Sample Ballots and click on the highlighted 26.1, and you'll see your sample ballot. On this ballot you'll see that we have four council seats that are up for election, with five people running for those four seats. Once again, investigate and look for the people that you would like to represent you and then vote for them. Remember when voting for council representation, that you will be able to vote for up to four individuals in this November election. But there's others that have multiple votes as well, which include Township Trustees, Mercer County Educational Service, and Parkway Board of Education. Finally, Vantage Career Center & Mercer County Health Districts all need your consideration and your vote. So go and vote!

We have a lot going on in this community and we need to take pride in what we are doing. So, let us make Rockford the best it can be, as if we work together, we can make this happen. 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:

Saturday - October 25 - Rocktoberfest - noon - 4 pm

Special Events Include: Car show, Hay Rides, Spin the Wheel, Kids Zone, Entertainment by DJ - Ben Sheppard spinning your Halloween Hits and a Fremont Catsup by the case sales! A Book Sale @ Rockford Carnegie Library along with take and make crafts for children and adults. There is something for everyone!

New this year: 1st 50 cars receive a Rocktoberfest dash plate and all cars will be entered into CASH PRIZE drawings. For all attendees ---- 'ATTENDENACE PRIZES' - Gift baskets and gift cards. Stop by the Catsup sales table near the car wash to sign up ! 1 Entry per person ??

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

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

Tuesday - November 4th - General Election - Community Building

Sunday - November 9th - Hydrant Flushing - throughout the Village.

Friday - November 14th - St. Teresa Chili Supper - Community Building

Sunday - November 23rd - Makers Market Holiday Market and Christmas lighting at Shanes Park -- Groups and individuals willing to help please contact
Ashley Stetler or Deb Bagley.

Village Administrator's Report - Aaron Temple - absent

Committee Reports:

Finance Committee: Shane Young -

Motion Shane to pay bills as presented $95,286.92 Second Marcas. Mary called for the question. Shane = y, Marcas= y, Mary = y, Mark = y, Luke = 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 Luke. Marcas called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Mary = y. Passed 5 yes.

Motion Shane to approve additional purchase orders and 4th Q BCs. Second Mary. Marcas called for the question. Shane = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Mark=y, Luke = y. Passed 5 yes.

Planning 1st reading of 2026 budget - November 4th meeting.

Rules Committee: Mark Heitkamp

Service Committee: Mary Beougher

As Vantage Career Center begins its 50th year in operation, they are asking voters to renew a 5 year, 0.7-mill permanent improvement levy on the November ballot. First approved in 1996, it has passed each renewal cycle, making this the sixth time voters have the chance to renew this levy. Since this is a renewal, there will be NO NEW TAXES for property owners in the Vantage district. The only change this time is they are asking to make this a continuing levy rather than a 5 year renewal. This levy is for equipment and grounds only - a need that will not go away. Voting for this levy will cost a taxpayer $8.00 annually for every $100,000.00 in home value to support this levy. Please vote YES for Vantage on Nov 4th!

Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp - absent

Economic Development Committee: Marcas Heitkamp - Council President

Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson

Rockford's new ELECTRIC AGGREGATION contract will begin December 2025 and go until December 2026. The rate will be $0.0945 and Dynegy is the supplier.

Visitor to address Council:

Old Business:

New Business:

Marcas ----Some concerns regarding Rocktoberfest - to late for this year but would like council to explore shutting down Main Street for this event next year so that it can get bigger ---- from 10 am - 6 pm.

Mayor Searight ---- We have already opened conversation with ODOT.

Franklin St. ---- there will be more grass seeded and fertilization on the tree lawns.

Mercer Co Health ---- Needs support as they provide great services.

Meeting adjourned at 7:47 pm