Meeting Minutes: September 15, 2026
Council called to order by Mayor Ron Searight on September 15, 2026 at 7:30 pm.
Let us pray – Dear God, thank you for being here with us tonight. Please guide us and show us your wisdom, power, and grace as we discuss the village operations and the needs. We ask all these things in your Holy Name, Amen.
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Chris Heitkamp. Marcas Heitkamp – absent
Also attending: Chief Westgerdes, Patrolman Miller, Robbie Peel, Barry Helman, Erin from the Daily Standard and Ross Finke.
Motion Mark. Second Luke to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Mary called for the question. Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 4 yes.
Motion Mary. Second Luke toaccept the minutes from the September 1, 2026 council meeting as presented. Mark called for the question. Mary = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 4 yes.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Mayor noted Mayors Court pay in and bank statement.
What a storm we had on September 5th. Thankfully, I have not heard of any injuries, but many streets were flooded, and several basements were affected as well. The village crew placed cones to mark where the flooded streets were and to warn drivers to use caution. To the best of my knowledge most people avoided those streets as well, as I saw people driving around to avoid them. About three inches of rain fell in just a few hours, putting a heavy strain on our storm sewers. This is another reminder to keep grass and other debris from clogging our storm sewers. We never know when heavy rain like this will happen, so we need to make sure our storm sewers remain clear. So, if you have a storm sewer near your property make sure it is clear of debris, as its time and effort well spent.
I have had some interesting talks concerning the Community Building and its rental agreement. Like most things that the village does or provides, the village does not make money from it and that includes the Community Building. Keep in mind that the funding for this park and buildings is paid for by the taxpayers of the Village of Rockford and the money received from renters of each entity. We receive truly little from outside sources and when we do we announce it. We spend more than we make to keep the building looking good and presentable. We know it is a great asset to our community, and we are good stewards towards this building. We are doing this, but we need your help and support. As some like to take advantage of getting the key early and then using it before their rental time. After much abuse council made it our policy that if you use it, you will be charged for it. That includes setting up the day before and cleaning up the day after, so you need to plan accordingly to confirm the amount of time needed for the rental and then use that time. Thank you.
With so many issues in the past of water bills being received either later than wanted or past due, so we’re changing the way they are sent. Next month (October) your water bill will be delivered in an envelope with the bill inside, the bill will look similar to the old card system. This is a trail period to see how it works. Hopefully this takes care of the issue, as by doing it this way, it adds extra time to prepare the actual bill, and it costs more to send them.
To finish I want to announce that we have an open council seat, Shane Young has resigned his position with no explanation. I want to thank Shane for his time on the council and for all he contributed to this village, council, administration, and me. So, council is interested in accepting letters of interest to fulfill the rest of Shane’s term. Please stop by the village office for more information.
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 – September 19th – Glow Run – @ 7:30 pm
Saturday – October 3rd – Brody Reigel – Eagle Scout Court of Honor
at Shanes Park – New Shelter house
Tuesday – October 6th – Rockford Chamber After Hours event at the Rockford Eagles – 5 – 7 pm.
Saturday – October 31st @ 10:30 – Rocktoberfest 5K
Saturday – October 31st – Rocktoberfest – Noon to 4 pm
Vendor Market, Car Show, Games, “Rockford Catsup” Sales !
Trick or Treating 5 – 6:30 pm
Costume Judging at the Fire Station – 7 pm
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
Received quotes for security cameras – please review and we will make the decision at the next meeting.
HSI Solar – had site visit and all went well. The solar panels will be installed at the sewer plant, water plant, village office and back garage. First project UV unit. We have some work to do at the sewer plant – removing dead trees and leveling the surface area. The first couple of years will be breaking even and then we will begin to see significant savings.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Marcas Heitkamp – absent
Motion Luke to pay bills as presented $ 32,367.11. Second Mary. Mark called for the question. Luke = y, Mary = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 4 yes.
Motion Luke to accept Mayor’s court pay in $132. Second Mark. Chris called for the question. Luke = y, Mark = y, Chris = y, Mary = y. Passed 4 yes.
Rules / Zoning Committee: Mary Beougher
Rockford Business Park annexation to Village of Rockford – our part has been completed. Waiting for additional information from the other attorney. Ross to check in to see if he can be of assistance to get the paperwork finished.
Service Committee:
Shane has resigned from Council — Open Council Seat
Revisiting the playhouses at Shanes Park —- consider whether relocating
the buildings away from the fence and renovating them appropriately
could provide a good compromise. Haven’t heard from anyone regarding this project.
Safety / Housing / Buildings Committee: Mark Heitkamp
The Rockford Chamber requests Columbia Street East be blocked off for Rocktoberfest (Food Truck Alley ) on Saturday – October 31st from 8 am – 5 pm.
Motion Mark. Second Luke. Mary called for the question. Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 4 yes.
The Rockford Chamber requests Market Street East to be blocked off for Rocktoberfest on Saturday – October 31st from 8 am – 8 pm
Motion Mark. Second Luke. Chris called for the question. Mark = y, Luke = y, Chris = y. Mary = y. Passed 4 yes.
Economic Development Committee: Luke Stephenson
Public Utilities Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Water billing will no longer be printed on a postcard – they will be printed and mailed “letter style” beginning with your October 2026 water billing.
RESOLUTION 03-2026
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING ENBRIDGE GAS OHIO’S REQUEST TO INCREASE DISTRIBUTION RATES AND REQUESTING THAT THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF OHIO DENY THE UTILITY’S REQUEST.
Motion Chris. Second Mark. Luke called for the question. Chris = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y. Passed 4 yes.
Old Business:
New Business:
There is an open council seat to replace Shane Young’s term of office. Anyone interested in being considered should send in a letter of interest to the Village Office by October 2nd at 4 pm. We would schedule interviews the following week and have someone installed at the October 20th council meeting.
Meeting adjourned 7:52 pm.
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Mayor Fiscal officer
