Meeting Minutes: September 1, 2026
Council called to order by Mayor Ron Searight on September 1, 2026 at 7:30 pm.
Let us pray – Dear God, thank you for all your blessings that you have provided for this Village in the past. We ask that you have a hand in this meeting and bless it. We also ask you to bless all hard-working individuals that have worked to make this nation great. 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: Chief Westgerdes, Patrolman Miller, Robbie Peel, Barry Helman, Francis Schaffner, Erin from the Daily Standard and Ross Finke.
Motion Marcas. Second Mary to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Luke called for the question. Marcas = y, Mary = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Shane = y, Chris = yes. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Marcas. Second Mark toaccept the minutes from the August 18, 2026 council meeting as presented. Luke called for the question. Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Shane = y, Chris = y. Passed.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
As we approach Labor Day weekend let us thank all the hardworking people that make our nation strong. We have been blessed by this hard work as it is more than money that has made us. Sure, money is important, but so is pride in what we are doing and trying to do the best we can. We are truly fortunate to live where we live, as we have good examples all around us that have that drive to get things done. So, enjoy Labor Day this year and be grateful to all that work or have worked all their lives, as they’ve made this country great.
At the last meeting Aaron mentioned the village hydrant flushing will be completed on Sunday September 13th starting around 9 AM. Water may be discolored when you first turn it on but let it run and it will clear up shortly. This flushing process will take all morning and will last until early afternoon, so your water may or may not be affected at the 9 AM starting time. This may come as an inconvenience to some, but this day and time should minimize most of them. A big thanks to all the Rockford Volunteer Firemen for giving up there Sunday to provide a much-needed service to our village.
To all that notified me that the brush and limb pickup was late, I want to thank you for your patience on this issue. On the normal day (second Tuesday of the month) we experienced heavy rain, not ideal conditions at best. Then it rained most of the week as you all know. Many projects that I have wanted them to do as well have been pushed back or delayed. They are working through these as best as they can and they are keeping me advised on each one of these issues as they arise. But we are growing as a village, and certain obstacles will present themselves as we grow.
Finally, we have not forgotten about the water bills that you are receiving late. To resolve this village is going to move away from the present card system and replace it with letter style system. This adds to our cost as a village and adds additional time to staff to stuff the approximately five hundred water bills. But we have been told that this should resolve the issue, as we hope to have this in place for the October billing cycle. If it does not, we will take the next step to resolve this issue, as we will see how October billing goes.
In September we should start to see a little milder temperature outside, so enjoy the early fall season for what it is worth. We just need to get through this week.
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:
Monday – September 7th — Village Office closed for Labor Day
Saturday – September 12 – Mercer County Fairgrounds – Household hazardous waste day and steel drop off. 9 am – 1 pm. Mercer County residents only – no businesses.
Sunday – September 13th — Hydrant Flushing – 9 am
Sunday – September 13th — Homecoming parade
Saturday – September 19th – Glow Run – @ 7:30 pm
Saturday – October 31st @ 11 – Rocktoberfest 5K
Saturday – October 31st – Rocktoberfest, Trick or Treating and Costume Judging at the Fire Station – more information coming !
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
Thank you to Brody Reigle – tonight just before council he handed over the keys to the new pavilion at Shane Park. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped with this great project and new addition to our park.
Regarding the park – we are getting quotes for security cameras – with this new addition and the new projects coming with our grants funds we need to move forward with cameras.
The last 2 weeks we have been changing out all the stop signs and street signs and we are almost complete. Has been a time consuming and expensive project but it needed to be done. If you see someone damaging a sign, please get a license plate number if at all possible.
Our next main project will be tearing off the lean to attached to the village office and cap the well. Once this is done we will be pouring the pad for the new historical society building. Hope to have this accomplished by the end of the month.
Solar site visit with HSI, Shinn Brothers, Access Engineering will take place on September 9th. We should have a good idea of start and completion time frame after the meeting.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
Motion Marcas to pay bills as presented $ 21,747.88 . Second Luke. Shane called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Marcas to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Luke. Shane called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Shane = 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 Marcas to approve supplemental appropriations to date. Second Luke. Shane called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Marcas to approve additional purchase orders. Second Luke. Shane called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Rules / Zoning Committee: Mary Beougher
Chene Development annexation to Village of Rockford coming along. Working on the agreement, petition to the Mercer County Commissioners once those steps are completed we will have a Resolution for council approval.
Reviewing several ordinance and will be scheduling a committee meeting in the near future.
Service Committee: Shane Young
Splash Pad – usually closed after Labor Day but since we are still having warm temps we will most likely leave open to the of September.
Safety / Housing / Buildings Committee: Mark Heitkamp
Rockford Chamber would like permission to use Market St for a car show – during Rocktoberfest – October 31,2026 from 8 am – 5 pm.
Motion Mark. Second Shane. Luke called for the question. Mark = y, Shane = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Rockford Chamber would like permission to close Main Street parking for the Rocktoberfest – October 31, 2026 from 8 am to 8 pm.
Motion Mark. Second Luke. Mary called for the question. Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Shane = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Economic Development Committee: Luke Stephenson
Public Utilities Committee: Chris Heitkamp
The Village will be implementing a new system in water billing notices. The bills will no longer be postcards and will be printed on regular paper and mailed in an envelope. This will begin with the next billing cycle. Everything else stays the same – Due date whether you get a bill or not will be the 15th of each month. If the bill is not paid by the 15th, there will be a 10% penalty. If the bill is not paid by the end of the month, your water can be shut off without additional notice. On the Village website there is a tab to look up your water bill – using your account number and last name.
Residents can also sign up to receive the water bill by email — please contact the Village Office to get signed up.
Old Business:
Mayor Searight – Park playhouses regarding several complaints about removing the playhouses. Would like to reconsider removing them with the following stipulations: Finances received by December 31st. Construction done by March 31st. Needs to be back to the original designs. Reasons — Rockford originals and unique to the park. With the security camera – we will be able to hold vandals accountable.
Shane brought up that the council had already decided for removal – not because of finances but because of the safety issues – kids climbing on the roofs and the fencing area getting destroyed.
Marcas noted that no one took the time to reach out to council or come to a council meeting to discuss the removal of the playhouses which had been discussed in previous council meetings.
There was some discussion about how to move forward but nothing was finalized.
New Business:
Mayor Searight — Ohio Municipal League posted a sample ordinance regarding e-bikes, scooters, etc. Asked Chief Westgerdes to review it. Parents — you need to advise your children of the rules of the road. This is becoming more and more of an issue.
Marcas to Mayor — what is this new law going to do? Will it be enforced and how to enforce it? Ultimately, it’s the parent’s responsibility to teach their children to be responsible and follow safety guidelines.
Ross — would suggest putting the information in the Mayor’s report — parents needing to remind their children the rules and safety in riding bikes or e-bikes.
Mayor suggested violations could include confiscation of the bike or scooter and possible fining the parents and then perhaps each would take the safety issues more seriously.
We need to figure out something before someone gets hurt. To be discussed further after reviewing the sample ordinance.
Meeting adjourned 8:04 pm.
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Mayor Fiscal officer
