Meeting Minutes: March 3, 2026
Council called to order by Mayor Ron Searight on February 17, 2026 at 7:30 pm.
Let us pray – Dear God, please bless this meeting and provide us with the information that we need to make wise decisions. We thank you for all your blessings that you have provided us in the past. As we continually ask for the same in the future. We ask all these things in your Holy Name. Amen.
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Shane Young, Chris Heitkamp. Marcas Heitkamp – absent.
Also attending: Chief Stetler & family, Patrolman Miller
Motion Luke. Second Mary to accept the agenda as orders of the day with the addition of Executive Session at the end of the meeting. Chris called for the question. Luke = y, Mary = y, Chris = y, Mark = y, Shane = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Luke. Second Mark toaccept the minutes from the February 17, 2026 council meeting as presented. Chris called for the question. Luke = y, Mark = y, Chris = y, Mary =y, Shane = y. Passed 5 yes.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Proclamation in honor of Chief Bryan Stetler –
WHEREAS: We want to acknowledge Bryan Stetler for serving Rockford for almost 30 years as a police officer; and
WHEREAS: Bryan started in 1997 as an auxiliary police officer, then moved to part-time in 1998, in 2002 he became fulltime police officer; and
WHEREAS: Bryan was promoted to Sergeant in 2004, a title that would be hard for him to shake even after his promotion to Chief in 2023, which he held until his retirement; and
WHEREAS: Chief Stetler and his wife Ashley and son Owen, have been a great resource in helping Rockford move forward with their leadership, actions, and motivation; and
WHEREAS: on behalf of the entire Village and the Village Council, I want to express my sincere appreciation to Chief Bryan Stetler for his many years of service and wish him the very best in his new endeavors.
PROCLAIMED this 3rd day of March 2026.
Ron Searight
Mayor, Village of Rockford, Ohio
I can imagine everyone would agree, we are done with winter! Hopefully, the worst is behind us now and we can see a little warmer weather and no more snow. We have all learned a lot from this past winter and the council, administration, and I are working on coming up with better plans for snow removal and its process. For the most part everything went well, but we may need to tweak some things for the future.
With that said, I would like to thank the village residents for their cooperation during those snowstorms. Most of you were very accommodating and supportive of our village workers. They spent many hours out cleaning the streets, so we could get to work or wherever you needed to be. A big thanks to those guys for a job well done.
With the extreme weather conditions, it seems we’ve seen an increase in accidents lately. I do not have actual numbers to show it, but please use caution when driving as an accident can occur with little notice. With extreme cold and wind, hypothermia should be a concern if exposed to the weather and an accident along with possible injuries adds to the concern.
With that said, and that I hope we’ve seen the worst of the winter. Take care when shoveling as it’s not something that one does every day and can bring on bad things if exposed too long. So, if you don’t think your health is good enough or have a condition that is hindering you, please get someone to do it for you.
Spring however is around the corner as we spring ahead with daylight savings time this Sunday morning. So, don’t forget to set those manual clocks forward one hour on Saturday night or they won’t match your cell phone time and you’ll be late for church or possibly whatever you’re doing Sunday. Have a great March!
Lastly, I would like to announce that Chene Development Inc. is in the process of setting up a business park west of the cemetery off of US 33. The Village of Rockford has been working with Chene Development, Mercer County, and other agencies to make this happen. More information will be available as things progress.
Businesses that have interest or would like more information regarding the business park can call the Village Office and they will be happy to give you Chene’s contacts. Chene Development Inc. is locally owned and operated by individuals that are working to improve the Rockford business area. We thank them for their pride in making Rockford the best it can be!
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 28th – Lions Club – Quarter Auction – Community Building
Village office will be closed – March 18th – March 20th – training.
Saturday – April 11th —- Chamber SPRING FLING / Car Show 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
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Marcas Heitkamp – report by Luke Stephenson
Motion Luke to pay bills as presented $12,593.53. Second Mary. Shane called for the question. Luke = y, Mary = y, Shane y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Luke to increase the credit limit to $8,000 – Peoples Bank credit card. Second Mary. Chris called for the question. Luke = y, Mary = y, Chris = y, Mark = y, Shane = y. Passed 5 yes.
Rules Committee: Mary Beougher
Motion Mary to approve the Rockford Chamber to post “No Parking” along Main Street during the Spring Fling – 8 am – 5 pm. Second Luke. Shane called for the question. Mary = y, Luke =y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Service Committee: Shane Young
Safety Committee: Mark Heitkamp – absent
Economic Development Committee: Luke Stephenson
Motion Luke to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance 01-2026 as an emergency.
Second Mary. Chris called for the question. Luke = y, Mary = y, Chris = y, Mark = y, Shane = y. Passed 5 yes.
ORDINANCE 01-2026
AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE MILLER SUBDIVISION PLAT DRAWING –LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 17,TOWN 4 SOUTH, RANGE 2 EAST, DUBLIN TOWNSHIP, VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, MERCER COUNTY, OHIO.
Motion Luke to approve Ordinance 01-2026. Second Chris. Shane
called for the question. Luke = y, Chris = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y.
Passed 5 yes.
Public Utilities Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Old Business:
New Business:
Motion to go into Executive session regarding Personnel – 7:48 pm.
Motion to come out of Executive session – 8:19 pm
No action taken
Meeting adjourned 8:20 pm.
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Mayor Fiscal officer
