November 4, 2026 — Rockford, Ohio

Rockford Village Council seated a new member, honored a Main Street business owner for 50 years of service, and began talking about asking voters for a police protection levy next spring at its regular meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2026.
Mayor Ron Searight called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

The meeting opened with a prayer thanking God “for giving us this country where we can vote and elect people of our choice,” followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

New council member

On the recommendation of the Rules Committee, Joel Temple was appointed to fulfill the term of Shane Young. Temple took the oath of office, and Searight congratulated him.

Council members present were Marcas Heitkamp, Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Joel Temple and Chris Heitkamp. Also attending were Chief Westgerdes, Robbie Peel, Francis Schaffner, Barry Helman and Erin from the Daily Standard.

Council accepted the agenda as the orders of the day and approved the minutes from the Oct. 20, 2026 council meeting, both by 6-0 votes.
50 years of His N Hers

The mayor’s report recognized Brenda Barker, owner of His N Hers Styling Salon, for 50 years of service to the Rockford community. A mayoral proclamation, presented during Rocktoberfest and again Tuesday night, credited Barker with “personable services to this community for those years” and said she “is not stopping at this milestone.” The proclamation called her presence on Main Street “a cornerstone for our community, representing the resilient spirit of independent business ownership and providing a welcoming environment for generations of residents,” and said her career’s longevity “serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, illustrating that success is built upon a foundation of hard work, integrity, and a genuine care for one’s neighbors.”

“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the elected officials and community members of Rockford, Ohio, do hereby extend our deepest gratitude and heartiest congratulations to Brenda Barker,” the proclamation reads. “We declare this day in her honor to celebrate a half-century of exceptional service and community leadership.” The proclamation is dated Oct. 31, 2026.

In his mayor’s message, Searight again congratulated His N Hers and thanked Barker “for your years of service and to all that have helped her achieve this accomplishment.”
Searight also thanked the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring Rocktoberfest, which he called “a successful day of fun for the whole family” with “a great turnout,” and thanked the Rockford Fire Department for the Halloween costume judging at the fire house. He encouraged Rockford business owners who want to see the village grow to get involved with the Chamber of Commerce, and thanked Rockford businesses “for being open and serving our community this past Saturday during Rocktoberfest, but also every day.”

The mayor also noted that the Winter Crisis Program is now available for qualified residents to help with heating expenses this year. Residents can stop by the Village Office or contact West Ohio Community Action Partnership in Celina for more information.
Upcoming events

  • Saturday, Nov. 7 — Lions Club Bag Bingo, Community Building
  • Friday, Nov. 13 — St. Teresa Chili Supper, Community Building
  • Sunday, Nov. 22 — Holly Day Market / Park Lighting / Trolley Rides
  • Friday, Dec. 25 — Together at Christmas, Community Building

Administrator’s report

Village Administrator Aaron Temple thanked the Parkway cross country team for volunteering to help light and decorate the park for the Chamber’s Holly Day event on Nov. 22, saying “it takes many volunteers to make this happen.“

Leaf pickup will begin at the end of this week, Temple reported. Residents were asked not to put leaves around mailboxes, trees or street lights, and leaves containing dog waste will not be picked up.

Solar prep work is underway at the wastewater treatment plant, with equipment and installation parts beginning to arrive. In less welcome news, a blower at the plant quit working, and a replacement will cost $15,000, with no warranty.

Finance


Finance Committee chair Marcas Heitkamp moved to pay the bills as presented, $26,211.45. Council approved, 6-0. Council also approved the monthly financial reports — the cash summary by fund, appropriations report, revenue report, budget vs. actual activity report and bank statement — supplemental appropriations to date, and an additional purchase order, each by 6-0 votes.
Ordinance 06-2026, an ordinance to make appropriations for the current expenses and other expenditures of the Village of Rockford during the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2027, received its first reading.

Police levy discussion

Council discussed the need for an additional police protection levy for consideration in May 2027. According to the discussion, the general fund “is taking a downward turn and expenses are increasing each year.” Council members said they are trying to be good stewards of village finances, do not want to ask for more than is needed, and do not want to have to come back for additional revenues. The village is working on a solar project to help with electrical costs and looking at other areas to save money, “but the bottom line is we need additional revenue.”

The 2026 police budget is $327,758, or 12.73% of the budget, as presented. Council was asked to review the following options and come back with a decision at the next meeting:

  • $72,382 — 2.5 mills, or $87.50 for a $100,000 home
  • $80,859 — 3 mills, or $105 for a $100,000 home
  • $101,335 — 3.5 mills, or $122.50 for a $100,000 home
    A levy approved in May 2027 would begin collecting in 2028 on 2027 property taxes. No vote was taken Tuesday night.

Rules and zoning


Rules/Zoning Committee chair Mary Beougher reported that updates on the Rockford Business Park annexation to the Village of Rockford are waiting on paperwork that has not yet been received.
Ordinance 05-2026, an ordinance establishing a snow emergency in the event of two or more inches of snow, requiring vehicles to be moved from all streets until snow removal is completed, received its first reading. The ordinance would repeal Ordinance 0694 and any other previous legislation, and would be in force immediately upon passage.

No reports were listed from the Service Committee (Joel Temple) or the Safety/Housing/Buildings Committee (Mark Heitkamp).

Economic Development Committee chair Luke Stephenson reported that the Rockford Business Park is “moving slowly but moving forward.”

Electric aggregation


Public Utilities Committee chair Chris Heitkamp reported that Mercer County recently executed a new electric aggregation agreement with Dynegy at a program rate of 11.52 cents per kilowatt-hour ($0.1152/kWh). The new rate will provide long-term price stability for residential and small business participants through the June 2029 billing period.

New rates take effect with meter reads in December, showing on January’s bill. Residents will begin receiving letters in the mail: those already with Dynegy who want to stay in the Mercer County aggregation should do nothing, and should return the card only if they want to opt out of the aggregation program. Anyone who does not receive a letter is not in the aggregation and should contact the Village Office for more information. The aggregation supplier is Dynegy.

There was no old business and no new business listed. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.