Rockford Village Council used its regular Tuesday session on Nov. 4, 2026, to fill a vacant seat, recognize a longtime Main Street business owner and open a preliminary conversation about a police levy. Mayor Ron Searight called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.; it adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Joel Temple, recommended by the Rules Committee, took the oath of office to complete the unexpired term of Shane Young, according to the Mercer County Outlook's account. Members Marcas Heitkamp, Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Temple and Chris Heitkamp were recorded present. The agenda and the minutes of the Oct. 20, 2026 meeting each passed 6-0.
Searight recognized Brenda Barker, proprietor of His N Hers Styling Salon, for a half century of service. A proclamation dated Oct. 31, 2026, first shared during Rocktoberfest, was presented to her again at the meeting.
Council members heard that the village's general fund is trending downward while costs climb, and they reviewed three police levy options for a possible May 2027 ballot question: 2.5 mills raising $72,382, 3 mills raising $80,859, or 3.5 mills raising $101,335. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay $87.50, $105 or $122.50 respectively. The 2026 police budget totals $327,758, or 12.73 percent of the budget as presented. No decision was made; members were asked to bring an answer to the next meeting. Revenue from a levy passed in May 2027 would be collected in 2028 against 2027 property taxes.
Also Tuesday: bills totaling $26,211.45 were paid 6-0; a failed wastewater plant blower will cost $15,000 to replace with no warranty; first readings went to the fiscal 2027 appropriations ordinance and a snow emergency measure; and residents were told Mercer County's Dynegy aggregation rate of 11.52 cents per kilowatt-hour runs through the June 2029 billing cycle.