Meeting Minutes: January 6, 2026
Council called to order by Mayor Searight on January 6, 2026 at 7:30 pm.
Let us pray — Dear God, we thank you for the new year and the opportunities that it presents to the Village of Rockford. Please bless this council with wisdom and knowledge that it takes to make proper decisions. We ask that you also bless the residents with comfort and peace. We ask all these things in your Holy Name, Amen.
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Shane Young, Chris Heitkamp. Mark Heitkamp – absent
Also attending: Francis Schaffner, Robbie Peel, Chief Stetler, Ross Finke,
Erin -from the Daily Standard.
Oaths of Office —- Marcas Heitkamp, Chris Heitkamp, Shane Young.
Mark Heitkamp – Oath of Office was done 01/02/2026 – as he is unable to attend this meeting.
Nominations for Council President – Marcas Heitkamp
Motion Luke to appoint Marcas Heitkamp as 2026 Council President. Second Shane. Chris called for the question. Luke = y, Shane = y, Chris = y, Marcas = y. Passed 4 yes.
Motion Shane. Second Marcas to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Chris = y. Passed 4 yes.
Motion Luke. Second Marcas toaccept the minutes from the December 16, 2025 council meeting as presented. Shane called for the question. Luke = y, Marcas = y, Shane = y, Chris = y, Passed 4 yes.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
2026 Council Committee Chairs
Finance Marcas Heitkamp
Economic Dev. Luke Stephenson
Rules Mary Beougher
Safety Mark Heitkamp
Service Shane Young
Utilities Chris Heitkamp
Happy New Year to all the residents of Rockford, Ohio. I hope you had a great holiday season and now you are ready to take on the new year with renewed hope and drive to make this your best year ever.
I need to acknowledge some people that have stepped forward helping others. I was told that fifty-one families and one hundred sixty-one students received gifts through the Angel Tree 2025 initiative program that helps needy families in the Parkway School District. Several groups and individuals gave to this project to make this happen. Along with that “Operation Christmas Child” was sponsored by each of the three Rockford churches. These shoe boxes have specialty items that are gender and age appropriate for the child to open at Christmas. The three churches combined totals amounted to 317 shoe boxes and they were sent throughout the world. Another $300 was raised to send them. Be proud that we live in such a giving community that cares about not only it’s neighbors, but people all over the world.
“Together at Christmas”, was once again such a success and a great gift to our community. It served approximately 500 people with Ham or Turkey with assorted other items to make the dinner complete. This came at a cost of saying, Merry Christmas, as no charge was placed upon the meal. Over 60 volunteers came out on Christmas Day to help serve the community. This with a list of financial contributors supporting it, along with the churches in our area. We thank you for your helping out and making someone’s day on Christmas.
Last month we experienced water bills not being delivered on time. To let you know, nothing changed as part of the village, we sent them out on the first of the month. The Rockford Post Office used to sort them and send them out, but due to how the Postal Service setup is now, they’re required to send them to Columbus to get credit for the mailings. This delay is part of the reason we’re seeing late postal service. This has cost Rockford residents in other areas of mailings as payments have also been late due to getting lost going to Columbus. But it’s not just limited to us either as it’s a rural issue throughout the US. We have been working with US Congressman Bob Latta’s staff to resolve this issue for over a year now. You can help us if you have received your bill late and you still have a stamped copy of it, bring it up to the office and we will make a copy of it and send it to Congressman Latta’s office. They are trying to get enough demand from disgruntled customers to get the postal service to change the way they’re operating. The Congressman will also accept other bills or letters that are late as well.
Along with the water bill delivery issue, we, the village, are not receiving full payments from some of our residents or no payment at all. So, from now on if it’s not paid by the end of the month, your water service will be shut off on the first working day of the month. So, please make sure you have this paid, as the vast majority of our residents do.
Last meeting the council heard a presentation from Steve Moeller representing Mercer County Imagination Library, which partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination of Ohio. This is free program for children from birth to five years old get a new book every month. This is important as 80% of a child brain development occurs within the first three years of their lives and reading stimulates them to learn and read. If you are interested, please stop by the village office and we will help you get the information that you need.
God Bless.
Remember, “Give more than you take and you will receive more than you gave.”
Mayor Ron Searight
Upcoming Community information & events:
Dog tags on sale at the Village Office until January 30, 2026.
Cost $22 – cash or checks to Mercer County Treasurer — no debit cards.
Will need LOTS of volunteers to help take down Christmas lights. Can you help? THIS Thursday @ 8:30 am
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
Snow removal —- reminder sidewalk snow removal is the responsibility of the home owners and business owners. Please make sure you are taking care of your areas. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Water plant — pump will be shipped yet this week and we will be working at the water plant next week.
Subdivision covenants — there has been a suggestion for change in the roof line for the attached garage portion. After some discussion the council will ask the home owners of the subdivision their thoughts and / or approval of the change – as per our agreement. If 50% of the home owners agree then a change can be made otherwise we will stay with the covenants as is.
Solar – We are researching the possibility of adding some solar options to the water plant, sewer plant, village office, and community building which have high electric usage each month. To move forward with research we can sign a letter of intent so we can meet with the company, ask questions and see if this would be a good fit for us. The council in agreement — sign a letter of intent.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
Motion Marcas to pay bills as presented: 12/31/2025 = 17,804.08. Second Luke. Shane called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Shane = y, Chris = y. Passed 4 yes.
Motion Marcas to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Luke. Chris called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Chris = y, Shane = y. Passed 4 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 Marcas to approve 2026 purchase orders and 1st Qtr. blanket certificates.
Second Shane. Chris called for the question. Marcas = y, Shane = y, Chris = y, Luke = y. Passed 4 yes.
Rules Committee: Mary Beougher — absent
Have been in contact with Vantage – they will begin making 10 picnic tables now that they are back in school. Thank you !
Service Committee: Shane Young
Safety Committee: Mark Heitkamp – absent
Economic Development Committee: Luke Stephenson
Public Utilities Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Visitors to address Council: Deadline for council agenda is the Friday before council at 4 pm- please note the topic of concern. Time limit 5 minutes.
Old Business:
New Business:
EMS quarterly meetings — need to appoint someone as a back up. Mayor Searight volunteered to be a representative.
Meeting adjourned 8:03 pm.
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Mayor Fiscal officer
