Nov 19, 2025

Rockford Council reviews holiday events, budget items at November 18 meeting

To hear the summary with Rockford Clerk Treasurer Lisa Kuhn:

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Rockford Village Council met on November 18 and received several community and administrative updates, including details on upcoming holiday events at Shane’s Park.

Mayor Ron Searight highlighted this Sunday’s Holiday Bazaar and Holiday Event, which will feature one-of-a-kind gifts, homemade crafts, treats, a light parade at sunset, free trolley rides, children’s activities, and photos with Santa. Events begin at noon.

He also announced upcoming closures for the Thanksgiving holiday. The village office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28. Looking ahead to Christmas, the annual Together on Christmas community dinner will be held Friday, December 25, at the Rockford Community Building from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free meal is open to the community.

Council approved payment of bills totaling $25,634.03 and accepted a mayor’s court pay-in of $891. Council also held the second reading of Ordinance 04-25, which appropriates funds for village expenses in 2026.

Mary Beougher reported that picnic table sponsorships for Shane’s Park remain available at $150 each. Through a partnership with Vantage, new picnic tables are being built for the park.

Council also noted that electric rate increases will take effect next month and will remain in place through December 2026.

More updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.

 

Council called to order by Mayor Searight on November 18, 2025 at 7:30 pm.

 

Let us pray -- Dear God, we thank you for what you provide for us, our community, and our country. We ask that we guide us in this meeting and that we follow your direction in all that we do. Thank you for this Thanksgiving season as we give thanks for our family and friends. 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: Robbie Peel, Chief Stetler, Patrolman Miller, Ross Finke, Francis Schaffner, Randy Now and Erin - Daily Standard.

 

Motion Shane. Second Marcas to accept the agenda as orders of the day.

Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

Motion Mary. Second Marcas toaccept the minutes from the November 4, 2025 council meeting as presented. Shane called for the question. Mary = y, Marcas = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

 

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:

 

Rockford will be celebrating its first Hollyday Celebration at Shanes Park this Sunday from noon to 7:30 PM. Things will start with the Holiday Bazaar in the Community Building with assorted vendors offering their products from Noon till 4 PM. Cocoa, Cookies, & Crafts will be in that building till 7:30 PM. Outside they have free horse-drawn rides alongside Front St. from 4 till 7:30 PM. At 5:30 PM. the Christmas Parade will start at Franklin St. by the Football Field and run to Front St. down to the park featuring decorated Golf Carts or ATV’s and Santa. The Christmas lights will be lit in the park after Stanta’s arrival from the parade. Pictures with Santa will be taken at Stana’s House in the park until 7:30 PM. So come out and enjoy, as it will be good time for all.

With all those things that I just mentioned comes with much detail by a lot of hours of preparation and time. These are volunteers that are making this happen just to make Rockford a better place to live, see, and enjoy. We couldn’t do it without you and your many talents. We appreciate you and thank you for all that you do and thank the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring it as well.

 

Changing to other information, AEP is now asking PUCO to allow them to charge you approximately $4 a month for distribution charge for your electric service. This is addition to what they already charge for presently for distribution. I have filed my comments as mayor to the PUCO stating that we didn’t believe this is appropriate for the service that we receive. If this is something that you would like to give your opinion on, you can by a couple of ways. For more information on them, please check stop by or call the village office.

 

With the first snow behind us, and the cold spell that proceeded it, it’s safe to say it’s winter season. With the temperature varying please be aware of the weather conditions as they can change rather quickly. So be prepared for whatever the weather might give us. Clean your sidewalks, driveways, and anywhere else snow could cause a hazard that would make someone fall. Remove the snow from your windshield, back window, and side windows so you can see properly. Use caution on all streets, as there could be black ice or ice as well on the sidewalks. Please use caution in both driving and walking as we go through the winter months.

 

I want to thank you for the support that you gave to the reelection of four of our council positions. They work hard for our community, working on many items that is improving our community sometimes in small but important ways. Many of these you don’t see or hear much about but working along with the administration we’re seeing things change. It’s not always easy to do what they’re doing either as they have to make difficult decisions at times as well and some are uncomfortable at best. But we were blessed to have five individuals that ran for the four positions. Why is this important to you? Most of the village council seats within our county had no one running for any of the four open seats and a couple had only two running for the four seats. So, if you see one of the five that ran, thank them for running as they have stepped up to serve you. Remember, your voice matters at voting time and it speaks on the way you vote.

 

I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving this year and the start of the Christmas season as well. Thank the ones that have blessed you as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Give more than you take and you will receive more than you gave.

 

God Bless you,

Mayor Ron Searight

 

Upcoming Community information & events:

 

Sunday – November 23rd –Holiday Bazaar and HollyDay at Shanes Park –

 

Discover one of a kind gifts, homemade crafts and delicious treats at

our Holiday Bazaar. As the sun sets, watch or participate in the spectacular Light Parade. Bring the kids for unforgettable moments – treats, crafts, (Free) trolley rides, photos and a visit with Santa!

 

Thursday & Friday – November 27th & 28th - Village Office closed for Thanksgiving Holiday.

 

Thursday & Friday – December 25th & 26th – Village Office closed for Christmas Holiday.

 

Friday – December 25th – Together on Christmas - Free Christmas Day Dinner @ Rockford Community Building from 10:30 am – 1pm

A Community meal in Celebration of Christ’s birth.

 

Thursday – January 1st – 2026 – Village Office closed for New Year’s Day.

 

 

 

Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple

 

With the winter season we will be concentrating on equipment and building maintenance.

 

Subdivision – Almost complete. Hohenbrink has done a great job. Lots are for sale now !

 

Restroom project - has started with windows being replaced and we will be removing concrete as the weather permits.

 

Leaf pick up continues - thank you to the residents – most have done a great job in placing leaves in the correct locations in which helps us be more efficient when cleaning them up. We will continue but should be close to wrapping up collections.

 

Dura Patch --- probably won’t be able to do more with weather conditions until Spring.

 

Water plant --- Electrical panel needs replaced and will cost approx. $25,000 plus labor to replace --- new parts estimated at several weeks. We also have an air compressor unit that needs replaced and we are looking for a comparable unit at a reasonable cost – hopefully not more than $10,000. Most of these parts are 15 years old and so it’s understandable that parts are going to need to be replaced. The plant is working so there are no concerns at this time, we just need to do some maintenance.

 

 

 

Committee Reports:

 

Finance Committee: Shane Young -

 

Motion Shane to pay bills as presented $25,634.03. Second Mary.

Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Mary = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

Motion Shane to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $891. Second Luke. Marcas called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

Motion Shane to give employees Chamber gift certificates for Christmas according to employee handbook --- Every full-time employee shall receive a $75.00 Chamber Gift Certificate the first payroll of each December; as well as every permanent part-time employee shall receive a $45.00 Chamber Gift Certificate. Second Mary. Marcas called for the question. Shane = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

ORDINANCE 04-25

AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, STATE OF OHIO, DURING FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,2026.

 

1st reading - 11/04/2025

2^nd reading – 11/18/2025

 

 

Rules Committee: Mark Heitkamp

 

Service Committee: Mary Beougher

 

We are partnering with Vantage again this winter and they will be building picnic tables for Shanes Park. If you, your family or business would like to sponsor a table. The cost is $150. Please contact Mary Beougher.

 

 

Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp

 

Economic Development Committee: Marcas Heitkamp – Council President

 

 

Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson

 

Reminder --- beginning next month the electric rates will be increasing from .0671 to .0945 for the Mercer County aggregation plan. The term goes until December 2026.

 

Visitors to address Council: Deadline for council agenda is the Friday before council at 4 pm. Time limit 5 minutes.

 

 

Randy Now requested to speak to council but was denied because of not meeting the required notice. * See note above.

 

 

 

Old Business:

 

New Business:

 

Mayor --- was brought to his attention that the playhouses at the park are getting in bad shape --- wood rotted, boards missing etc…, -- need to make a priority to get these fixed up next Spring – perhaps another project for Vantage ?

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:47 pm

 

 

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Mayor Fiscal officer