Feb 18, 2026

 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

 

Council called to order by Mayor Ron Searight on February 17, 2026  at 7:30 pm.

 

Let us pray  -   Dear God, please bless us and this meeting.  Help us and give us the insight we need so we can make important decisions for this Village.  We’ve all been blessed by you and want to thank you for those blessings.  As we ask all these things 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, Francis Schaffner,  Chief Stetler, Patrolman Miller

 

Motion Marcas.  Second Luke to accept the agenda as orders of the day.  Mark   called for the question.     Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Shane = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

 

Motion Marcas.   Second Luke toaccept the minutes from the February 3, 2026 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:   

 

Noted Mayors court pay in and bank statement. 

 

Due to vacation this past week, we will not have a Mayor’s report for this meeting.  Thank you.

 

 

Remember, “Give more than you take and you will receive more than you gave.”

 

God Bless you,

Mayor Ron Searight

 

 

 

Upcoming Community information & events:

 

Saturday – March 7th – Turtle Races – Community Building

 

Saturday – March 21st – St. Teresa Family Fun Night – Community Building

 

Saturday – March 28th – Lions Club – Quarter Auction – Community Building

 

Village office will be closed – March 18th – March 20th – training.

 

Saturday – April 11th ---- Chamber SPRING FLING 11 am – 3 pm in conjunction with Rockford Fire Department Pancake Day – 6 am – 1 pm.    

 

Saturday – April 11th - Parkway Music Booster 5K – 9 am – starts at Parkway High School

 

 

Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple  

 

Water plant -  master control parts have arrived and have been installed.  Well work will be done as soon as the weather breaks.

 

Have been reviewing the water / sewer ordinance regarding responsibilities for water and sewer lines for the Village and home owners.  

 

Park restroom project updates have installed new doors / windows, new partitions, new toilets, sinks and urinals.  May be working on concrete next week.  Baseball /softball will be starting soon and so the project will be taking some priorities. 

 

Will be meeting with construction engineers regarding the install of solar in our high usage locations.

 

We will attempt to sell our used bucket truck.  We will take sealed bids but please note there will be a reserve that needs to be met.  If we don’t sell, we may revamp the truck and use for leaf pick up. 

 

 

Committee Reports:

 

Finance Committee:  Marcas Heitkamp

 

Motion Marcas to pay bills as presented.  Second Luke.  Shane called for the question.  Marcas = y, Luke = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

02/09/2026 - $94,165.77   and    02/11/2026 - $6,244.47

 

Motion Marcas to accept Mayor’s Court pay in $263.  Second Luke.  Shane called for the question.   Marcas = y, Luke = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

RESOLUTION 01-2026

A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF COUCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, MERCER COUNTY OHIO TO PROVIDE FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,2026.

 

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

 

 

Rules Committee:    Mary Beougher

 

The Chamber would like to have a car show during Spring Fling – Saturday – April 11th and asks permission to use Market Street – timing is to be determined.    (Same day as Parkway 5K and Fire Department Pancake day)     Council approved with proper paperwork to be completed.

 

Motion Mary to donate $700 to Vantage in thanks for building of our picnic tables.  Second Marcas.  Luke called for the question.   Mary = y, Marcas = y, Luke =y, Mark = y, Shane = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

 

Service Committee:   Shane Young

 

Rockford Rec next meeting – March 1^st at 6 pm

 

 

Safety Committee:     Mark Heitkamp

 

Motion Mark to accept the resignation of Chief Bryan Stetler.   He is retiring effective March 9th, 2026.   Second Luke.  Shane called for the question.  Mark = y, Luke = y, Shane = y, Marcas = y, Mary = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

Thank you Chief Stetler for your years of dedication to the Village of Rockford.  We wish you best of luck in your retirement.

 

 

Economic Development Committee:  Luke Stephenson

 

 

Public Utilities Committee:  Chris Heitkamp

 

 

Old Business:     

 

 

New Business:

 

Marcas sent some information to council regarding the need to update the ‘Snow Emergency’ ordinance.   Will be making some changes to this including the need for vehicles to be removed from the street when we received 2” or more snow.  We will not wait for the Mayor to declare a ‘snow emergency’ as not everyone has Facebook and ways to be informed of such a declaration.  

 

We will be accepting applications for 2 positions – Chief and Patrolman. 

 

 

Motion Marcas to go into Executive Session regarding property / finances.  Second Luke.  Mary called for the question.   Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Mark = y, Shane = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.   Time – 7:48.

 

Motion Marcas to come out of Executive Session.  Second Mark.  Luke called for the question.   Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y,  Mary = y, Shane = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.  Time – 8:19

 

 

No action taken

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned  8:19  pm.