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Rockford's disused old north water tower stands in the center of a residential block bounded by Columbia and Front Streets to the south and north respectively and Franklin and Jay Streets to the east and west.
Source: Mercer County Auditor
ROCKFORD - Following action taken after executive session during the Jan. 20 council meeting, Rockford's council president clarified the village is looking at its options to demolish the old north water tower that is no longer in operation.
The issue arose because the village does not have access to the land the tower sits on, which is surrounded by privately owned property. At the Jan. 20 meeting, the council decided to go ahead with investigating how the use of eminent domain would work.
Council president Marcas Heitkamp answered questions after the regular council meeting on Tuesday about the possibility of the village enacting temporary eminent domain to take ownership of the surrounding property of the water tower, which is located between Columbia and Front streets.
"We are looking into the possibilities for it," he said. "Obviously, the first thing we want to do is work with the homeowner. When there are things that are time-sensitive, we want to make sure that we have that back-up, if needed. That's not our first priority, obviously. We want to work with the homeowners first and foremost."
Heitkamp said the village owns the water tower and the land it sits on, but not the surrounding block of homes.
"Rockford owns the water tower," he said. "It's kind of on an island, if you look at it. There's houses all the way around it and then we own this lot that the water tower's on, but we don't have access to it. We are trying to figure out how, working with a contractor, that would make the most sense."
The village currently has two water towers that provide the village with potable drinking water. The new north water tower has recently been built and painted. The tower will replace the old north tower that was built in 1931 between Columbia and Front streets.
The south tower was installed in 2000 near Hickory Street and was recently repainted. The north water tower holds 100,000 gallons and the south tower holds 250,000 gallons for a combined 350,000 gallons. Village administrator Aaron Temple has previously said the village uses 200,000 gallons a day on average.
If the village pursues eminent domain, the village would assume ownership of the property on a short-term basis and pay rent while compensating property owners.
According to the Ohio Attorney General's Office, eminent domain is "the power of the federal, state, and local governments to take private property for public use."
Per the agency's website, when a property is taken or appropriated for public use, the government is required by law to pay the owner just compensation. Just compensation under Ohio law is defined as the "fair market value" of the property taken, which is the amount of money which could be obtained on the market at a voluntary sale of the property.
"It is the amount a purchaser who is willing, but not required to buy, would pay and that a seller who is willing, but not required to sell, would accept, when both are fully aware and informed of all the circumstances involving the value and use of the property," per the website.
Heitkamp stressed the village hasn't decided anything yet, and eminent domain is the last-case scenario.
In other business, councilors approved the 2026 Rockford recreation board officers as Dan Moeller, president; Matt Slavic, vice president; Jessica Shaffer, treasurer; and Brittney Bickle, secretary. Board members are Colby Heiser, Monty Gibbons, Tyler Stover, Joanie Shirk, Courtney Davis and Erica Hays.
Councilors also:
• heard consumers are encouraged to comment on AES wanting to raise rates again.
• heard HSI Solar briefly met with village officials to discuss solar panels.
In January, councilors discussed a preliminary letter of intent for a power purchase agreement between a solar company and the village to purchase electric generated from panels installed on select buildings.
The letter outlines terms between HSI Solar LLC and the village in which the village will buy electricity generated from panels that will be installed at the water treatment plant on South Franklin St., the village hall at 151. E. Columbia St., the wastewater plant at 4090 State Route 117 and the community building at 420 N. Holly Drive.
The village, under the letter of the intent, will purchase the power at $0.072 per kilowatt-hour with an annual increase of 2.5%.
As a result of the agreements, HSI Solar will retain ownership of all renewable energy credits.
• heard that all lots for the second phase of the subdivision are sold. For more information, call Josh Johnson with Gray Realty at 567-644-2500.
The village council meets next at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the village hall.
