Meeting Minutes: June 2, 2026
Council called to order by Mayor Ron Searight on June 2, 2026 at 7:30 pm.
Let us pray – Dear God, please bless this meeting as we meet to discuss the needs of Rockford. Help us provide for the needs of today and help us in providing us the insight into the future. We thank you for the past blessings as well. We ask all these things in your Holy name, Amen.
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Mark Heitkamp, Mary Beougher, Shane Young. Marcas Heitkamp and Chris Heitkamp. Luke Stephenson – absent.
Also attending: Chief Westgerdes, Robbie Peel, Erin from the Daily Standard.
Motion Shane. Second Mary to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Mark called for the question. Shane = y, Mary = y, Mark = y, Marcas = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Shane. Second Chris toaccept the minutes from the May 19, 2026 council meeting as presented. Mary called for the question. Shane = y, Chris = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y. Passed 5 yes.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Summer is here and the park is in full swing with ball games, volleyball, pickleball, graduation parties, weddings, and the splash pad. The park is there for you and others to enjoy, so please do so. But remember it doesn’t take care of itself, so please pick up after yourself and don’t damage it in any way. Help our volunteers whenever possible and take care of what we have and be proud of our beautiful park and all its amenities that it offers.
I’d like to thank all the people that are taking care of their residence, as most of you do. This pride in taking care of your own place of residence reflects upon the town as well. It makes your property more valuable, and it reduces pests and other unwanted animals from being around your property. You don’t always have to have the very best of everything or anything. But keeping things tidy doesn’t cost much either.
Finally, I’d like to encourage you to volunteer in one of the great organizations that support this community. Organizations like American Legion, Lion’s Club, Rockford EMS, and Rockford Fire Department just to name a few. They are always looking for volunteers to support what they do. They are important to all of us, as they provide a service that we need. We wouldn’t have some of the things that have if they didn’t exist. But sadly, there are some that barely have enough members to make things go. Once they are gone, it’s even harder to replace the void or we must go elsewhere to get it. We’ve seen things leave and even the best efforts haven’t brought them back. You’ll be rewarded with what you volunteer to do and if it doesn’t try another. You could be the person that makes the difference not only in that organization, but the community as well. As it follows what I’ve been saying since I’ve been Mayor.
Remember, “Give more than you take and you will receive more than you gave.”
God Bless you,
Mayor Ron Searight
Upcoming Community information & events:
Friday – June 12th – Community Days Sponsoring the Van Wert Community Band — Shanes Park Pavilion — ice cream truck involved !
Let’s celebrate America’s 250th Birthday.
Sunday – June 14 – Maker’s Market – Shanes Park – 11 am – 2 pm
Friday – June 19th — Rockford Lions Club Car Show and Cruise In – 4 pm
Friday & Saturday – June 19 & 20 – Rockford Community Garage Sales –
No map – advertise your own sale.
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
The final lot at the Miller subdivision has been sold. There will be another single-family home built yet this year. We will be installing the water and sewer main for those lots next week.
The pavilion by the pond should be completed by the end of the week. It’s been a process working with volunteers and time schedules so it took a little longer than originally thought. It will be a great asset to the north side of Holly Lane.
We submitted a grant earlier in the year for a capital improvement project grant at Shanes Park. If we receive the grant, the plan is to make new pickle ball courts, sand volleyball courts and a walk path in all in the area of the new shelter house and the pond.
Received final agreement paperwork for the HSI solar project. We have also received some preliminary prints to review. The project is moving along and hoping to have everything completed by the end of the year.
We have more cost increases because of the rising gas costs. For example, each load of salt will cost an additional $10 per ton – which equals to $250-$300 per delivery.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
Motion Marcus to pay the bills as presented $122,786.21. Second Shane. Mark called for the question. Marcas = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Marcas to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Shane.
Mary called for the question. Marcas = y, Shane = y, Mary = y. Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 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 Shane.
Chris called for the question. Marcas = y, Shane = y, Chris = y, Mark = y, Mary = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Marcas to approve additional purchase orders. Second Shane.
Mark called for the question. Marcas = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Preliminary 2027 Budget to County Auditor by July 15th.
Rules Committee: Mary Beougher
Committee meeting was held before council meeting, but no action was taken.
ORDINANCE 02-2026
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING, APPROVING, AND RATIFING THE ATTACHED ORDINANCE 16-1960 – PASSED ON 02/09/1960 BUT WAS NEVER RECORDED.
1st reading – 06/02/2026
Service Committee: Shane Young
Safety Committee: Mark Heitkamp
Economic Development Committee: Luke Stephenson – absent
Public Utilities Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Old Business:
Vandalism at the park on 06/01/2026 — be on notice – we will be prosecuting per Mayor Searight.
New Business:
Meeting adjourned 7:48 pm.
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Mayor Fiscal officer
