Meeting Minutes: October 6, 2026
Council called to order by Mayor Ron Searight on October 6, 2026 at 7:30 pm.
Let us pray – Dear God, thank you for allowing us to meet here tonight. Please guide us and direct us as we discuss the needs of the Village. Give us the information we need and guide our decisions. We ask all these things in your Holy Name, Amen.
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Chris Heitkamp.
Also attending: Chief Westgerdes, Robbie Peel, Barry Helman, Francis Schaffner, and Abigail from the Daily Standard.
Motion Marcas. Second Luke to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Mark called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Marcas. Second Mary toaccept the minutes from the September 15, 2026 council meeting as presented. Luke called for the question. Marcas = y, Mary =y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
The Rockford Police Department, in cooperation with the Taste Twirl and a generous donation by the Rockford Eagles have established a new program for our youth. It’s called “Caught Doing Good” and the reward is a coupon good for an ice cream cone at Taste Twirl. So, when one of our younger ones is caught doing something good they will be rewarded for their good behavior. Chief Westgerdes came up with the idea and has followed it through to fruition. We know it’s late for this year, but it took time to get everything in place. This reward is good throughout the year, and it will be honored next year at the Taste Twirl as well.
Several weeks ago, we sent out emails to business leaders, giving them a sneak peek at our new branding for Rockford. Over the next several months, the community will be seeing updated letterheads, envelopes, website and directory, with the new logo. Eventually, next spring we will have new village signage placed coming into town.
I’ve had numerous discussions about the playhouses down at the park and what’s going to happen to them. Well, for now they staying, but they will have to be moved if we’re going to keep them. That is due to safety concerns that we have, as these houses are next to the fencing surrounding them. We have kids climbing on the fence to get to the roofs of these houses. This has caused damage not only to the fence, but the houses as well. Council voted unanimously on removing them due to what I just mentioned, but working with council, administration, and listening to some village residents they have a started a plan to save them. They would be moved away from the fence but close to the area that they were previously in. To do this isn’t going to be an easy move, as they need a proper area for them. Then the house themselves need some attention given to them to bring them back to their original state. I’ve talked with a couple of council members, and they are willing to work with community to make this happen. So, we’re asking for community support in raising the needed funds to make this a reality. The village will also contribute to this project if the community really wants it. The deadline to raise the money will be December 31st, so things can get started in early spring for this project. If you have interest in helping out on this project, please stop by the village office for more details.
I have to mention all the “Pray for Asher” signs that have been sold throughout our community. And in other’s communities as well. It’s very great to see and know that a community is backing a little boy in need. We need to continue to pray for a cure for him along with his family. Sadly, there are others out there that are in need of assistance as well, so help whenever you can.
Remember, “Give more than you take and you will receive more than you gave.”
God Bless you,
Mayor Ron Searight
Upcoming Community information & events:
Sunday – October 11 — Makers Market — 11 – 2 – MAIN STREET!
Thursday – October 15th – Parkway Community Breakfast – 8:30 am
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
You may have noticed the demo on the west side of the village office – the lean to and the block building are in the process of coming down to make room for the new cold storage building that the historical society is putting up. We hope to have the concrete poured next week. This is going to be a great addition to the historical society and the Village.
We have made the switch to solar salt – brine tanks working a lot better. This is more costly, but we feel the maintenance expenses will be reduced greatly with a better quality of salt.
Solar – all the funding has been approved and secured. We will be hiring some local contractors to help with some HVAC and electrical needs. We will begin the dirt work next week and want to extend thanks to a couple of contractors that are allowing us to use their equipment. It’s greatly appreciated and will save the Village money.
Park cameras – council reviewed the information and all approved the installation.
Last — Brush pick up is next week – we realize that, but are somewhat behind on several projects with recent vacations. We will get around town as soon as we can — may take an extra day or so. Please be patient and refrain calling the office.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
Motion Marcas. Second Luke to pay bills as presented: $ 40,274.63. Mary called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mary – y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Marcas to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Luke. Mary called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = 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.
Motion Marcas to approve supplemental appropriations to date. Second Mark. Luke called for the question. Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary =y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Marcas to approve additional purchase orders and 4th Q Blanket certificates. Second Luke. Mark called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Parkway and Village contract for improvements at Shanes Park –
3 year plan with estimates – will get the contract ready for Parkway’s next meeting and then once they approve we can approve at our next meeting.
Finance committee will be working on 2027 final Budget – 1st reading November 3rd.
Set up a committee / meeting to review letters of interest for open council seat. After said meeting – will set up some interviews.
(Marcas, Mark and Luke will be the committee)
Rules / Zoning Committee: Mary Beougher
Attended the Chamber after hours gathering and heard updates on the new Rockford Business Park – things are coming together. We will soon see some signage. We have 3 letters of intent to build. If you are interested in more information, please contact Tammy McDonough.
Service Committee:
Safety / Housing / Buildings Committee: Mark Heitkamp
Would like to start working on the new sign directing people to the park and community building off 33 —- used to light up and now it’s getting darker earlier and hard to see the entrance. Will work with Aaron on some ideas.
Economic Development Committee: Luke Stephenson
Public Utilities Committee: Chris Heitkamp
The Special Reconnect Order* can help!
The Special Reconnect Order allows any electric or natural gas customer of a regulated utility to avoid disconnection or reconnect their service for $175, even if they owe more and cannot afford to pay the full balance.
• Available one-time per utility from Oct. 12, 2026 through April 16, 2027
• No income guidelines
• Payment plan required for amounts owed over $175
• Reconnection fee is limited to $36 if service is disconnected—any amount over $36 will appear on the next bill
• Can delay disconnection up to 30 days for Winter Crisis Program appointment
• The $175 may be split between electric and natural gas if used for both at the same time
• Municipal utilities and rural co-ops are not required to offer the Special Reconnect Order
Learn more at: www.occ.ohio.gov/utilityassistance
Old Business:
Mary – we will be working with Vantage again on more picnic tables. Need to get them a number.
New Business:
Motion Mary. Second Marcas to go into Executive Session regarding Personnel. Chris called for the question. Mary = y, Marcas = y, Chris = y, Mark = y, Luke = y. Passed 5 yes. Time – 7:52
Motion Marcas. Second Mark to come out of Executive Session. Luke called for the question. Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y. Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Time – 8:06.
No action taken.
Meeting adjourned 8:06 pm.
_________________________ _________________________
Mayor Fiscal officer
