Nov 5, 2025

 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

 

Council called to order by Mayor Searight on November 4, 2025 at 7:30 pm.

 

Let us pray -- Thank you, God, for this country that we live in where we can vote and have a say in who we elect to serve us. We ask that you guide us in this meeting, that it may bring honor to you and the people of Rockford. Thank you for all your blessings, as we ask this in your Holy name, Amen.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

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

 

Also attending: Robbie Peel, Chief Stetler, Ross Finke, Erin -from the Daily Standard.

 

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

Shane called for the question. Mary = y, Marcas = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

Motion Marcas. Second Luke toaccept the minutes from the October 21, 2025 council meeting as presented. Shane called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

 

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:

 

The election polls are now closed, and voting has concluded and I hope you voted today. As we approach Thanksgiving Day, we need to remember why we observe it and be thankful for all that we have. Many things we have today are thanks to people who defended their beliefs, sometimes at great personal cost, so we can have what we have today, the ability to vote, the freedom to speak up, and have different thoughts and dreams and in most cases live out those dreams. But we must protect those rights as they are always under constant attack and voting is one of your ways that protects your rights.

 

This past week, I spoke with several people about fences they have installed or plan to install. First off, all fences need to be within the six feet maximum height and have a building permit to install them as well. Extensions above the stated height are prohibited. Some fences exist to safeguard marijuana plants. For personal use only by individuals over twenty-one, as permitted by Ohio law. If you have those plants, ensure you comply with state laws and Rockford codes, as they are monitored. Also, please consider your neighbor’s as well, as they have rights and they might not care for your plants and the scent that they omit. If you have any questions on this topic, please get with me, as I am learning quite a bit about this subject.

 

This Sunday the Rockford Fire Department will be flushing out the fire hydrants throughout the whole village. This procedure is necessary to confirm flow amounts and that the hydrant is operating properly. Some people may see no changes, while others might notice discolored water. This is just the sediment that has settled in the bottom of our water mains. If you have any decolorization in water, just let it run for a little while and it will clear up. Volunteers from the Rockford Fire Department freely provide this service, giving up their Sundays to benefit the community. If you see one of them, tell them that you thank you for their service, they will appreciate it.

 

I must mention Rocktoberfest and the great support I saw from the crowd that attended. Downtown was filled with vendors, crafts, and great food. Kudos to the Chamber of Commerce for organizing a well-planned event. It truly was a day for the whole family, as there was something for everyone. It demonstrates our community's pride in hosting a quality event and recognizing the contributions of those who made it successful behind the scenes. Thank you for such an excellent job to all that was a part of it.

 

Much is going on in this community, but some details remain confidential. So, let us come together and make Rockford the best it can be. If we do that, we can make it happen as we need you to support it and even more work towards it. Thank you.

 

 

Give more than you take and you will receive more than you gave.

 

God Bless you,

Mayor Ron Searight

 

Upcoming Community information & events:

 

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

 

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

 

Thursday & Friday – November 27th & 28th - Village Office closed for Thanksgiving Holiday.

 

Sunday – November 23rd –Holiday Bazaar and Holly Days at Shanes Park -- Groups and individuals willing to help please contact Ashley Stetler or Deb Bagley. Festivities start at noon !

 

Thursday & Friday – December 25^th & 26th – Village Office closed for Christmas Holiday.

 

Thursday– December 25th – Together on Christmas - Free Christmas Day Dinner @ Rockford Community Building from 10:30 am – 1pm

A Community meal in Celebration of Christ’s birth.

 

Thursday – January 1st – 2026 – Village Office closed for New Year’s Day.

 

 

Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple

 

Thank you for understanding the recent missing of several council meeting. It was important that I attended the Parkway volleyball games.

 

Subdivision – coming along ahead of schedule. We should see asphalt soon.

 

Dura Patching has been put on hold while we work on leaf collections. PLEASE line the leaves along the tree lawns but not in the streets. We are also asking that you do not gather your leaves around mailboxes, sign posts, or utility poles.

 

Shanes Park restroom project - will be underway in the next couple of weeks. We will be installing a new water line and fixing the concrete around the newly renovated building.

 

WWTP - recently had a sanitary sewer survey. We need some written procedures otherwise – all is good.

 

The Winter Crisis Program (WCP) provides financial aid once per heating season from Nov. 1 through March 31 for income-eligible consumers who:

 

Have been disconnected or received a shut-off notice;

Have less than a 25% supply of bulk fuel; or

Need to establish new service or pay to transfer service.

 

Please contact the Village office if you need additional information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Committee Reports:

 

Finance Committee: Shane Young -

 

Motion Shane to pay bills as presented $231,757.24 Second Luke.

Marcas called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 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, Chris = y. Passed 6 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. Mary called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

Motion Shane to approve additional purchase orders. Second Mary. Marcas called for the question. Shane = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

ORDINANCE 04-25

AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, STATE OF OHIO, DURING FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,2026.

 

1st reading - 11/04/2025

 

 

RESOLUTION 07-25

A RESOLUTION RETAINING THE SERVICES OF ROSS FINKE AS SOLICITOR FOR THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO FOR 2026, SETTING COMPENSATION, AND ESTABLISHING RESPONSIBILITIES.

 

Motion Shane. Second Mary. Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Mary = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

 

 

 

Motion to approve 2026 Pay Schedule for employees of the Village of Rockford, Ohio – Effective the first pay period of 2026.

 

Motion Shane. Second Marcas. Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

 

Rules Committee: Mark Heitkamp

 

Service Committee: Mary Beougher

 

Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp

 

 

Several concerns over parking / safety issues on Market Street going west. There are several ways to handle the situation and several options were discussed -- No Parking on Market Street past Franklin or No parking on Market St on the North side where the mail boxes are located. Concerns over emergency vehicles heading out of town and the area being clogged up. Several photos were presented. Discussion on losing more parking for the village and the concerns about other streets in the village. All valid concerns. Discussion on sending letters to residents to comply, but that is not guaranteed.

 

Motion Chris to post “No Parking” on the north side of Market Street from Franklin to Smith Street. This will allow emergency vehicles passage and also will not block mail boxes for postal workers. Second Shane. Marcas called for the question. Chris = y, Shane = N, Marcas = y, Mark = N, Mary = y, Luke = y, Motion passed with 4 yes.

 

Mayor – thank you for your concerns and some good discussion.

 

 

 

Economic Development Committee: Marcas Heitkamp – Council President

 

Would like the Village Administrator to contact the owner of the empty parking lot on Market street to see if the Village can purchase / or come to an agreement with the owner to post for Public Parking.

 

 

 

Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson

 

 

Visitor to address Council:

 

 

 

Old Business: We have a “NO SOLICITATION” ordinance in the Village. People should not be coming to your door to talk about electric rates or anything else.

 

New Business:

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:09 pm

 

 

_________________________ _________________________

Mayor Fiscal officer