The City of Rockford
When someone walks into the Rockford City Council Chambers, you cannot help but be struck by the multiple Norman Rockwell prints, highlighting the Freedom Series. In many ways, Rockford is classic small town America represented in the many works of Norman Rockwell. Nestled on the banks of the Rogue River, the City showcases the ideal blend of sophisticated public services with a small town charm of a historic Michigan community.
Rockford neighborhoods are second to none providing a variety of housing opportunities surrounded by one of the largest park systems per capita in the Country. Recreational opportunities are abound in the City, which is bisected by the Rogue River, one of the finest urban fisheries in the State. Over the years, the City has constructed an elaborate trail network, which links all of its neighborhoods to the various public facilities throughout the community and the heart of our downtown business district. In fact, it is the pride that residents and local business owners take in this community that makes Rockford a very desirable place to visit or call home. This
Michael F. Young City Manager
community spirit echoes throughout the entire Rockford Public School District, which includes twelve( 12) blue ribbon schools, outstanding extracurricular programs, dynamic athletic programs, and academic riggers that allows Rockford Public School students to compete on a national level.
The City of Rockford operates under the Council-Manager form of government. Under this model, the City Manager is responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the City along with the various department heads. The City Council’ s main function is policy formation and legislation that charts the future course of the community. The City is supported by a variety of volunteer boards and commissions, all responsible for specialized aspects of the governmental decision making process.
Most recently, the City has merged its Police and Fire Departments into a true Public Safety Department combined with the City’ s Department of Public Services to provide twenty-one( 21) full time Public Safety Officers. This merger occurred in 2012, which allowed the City to maintain its strong financial positions while continuing to provide a high quality level of service to its residents. The City owns and operates state of the art waste water and water treatment facilities as well as traditional
public works services, its own Emergency Dispatch Center, weekly yard waste collection, and a high quality street system.
The City remains committed to providing the highest level of services possible to its residents and business owners. As part of this commitment, the City strives to provide its residents, business owners and visitors with the most current and up-to-date information about our community. For additional information about the City of Rockford and its many services, please visit the City’ s website at www. rockford. mi. us or visit us on Facebook.
“ Undoubtedly the most appealing aspect of Rockford is that it is a community made up of residents and businesses that are proud to call the City their home,” said City Manager Michael Young.“ It is the unselfish commitment of our citizens and business owners all working together to make Rockford one of the most desirable places to reside in the entire state.”
City of RoCkfoRd
City of Rockford Offices Office Hours: 8-5( M-F)
7 S. Monroe Street Tel.:( 616) 866-1537
Post Office Box 561 Fax:( 616) 866-6406
Rockford, MI 49341 www. rockford. mi. us _______________________________________________
City Manager......................... Michael F. Young Assessor................................... Tom Doane Bldg./ Mech./ Elec. Inspector.. Professional Code Inspections City Attorney........................... Richard Wendt City Clerk............................ Christine Bedford Finance Director......................... Linda Lehman Chief of Public Safety...................... Dave Jones Fire Marshall............................... Mike Reus Public Services Director.................. Jamie Davies Treasurer................................. Kim McKay Accounting Clerk....................... Stacey Rogers
City Council Members Mayor.................................... Brien Dews Mayor Pro Tem............................. Jerry Coon Council Member........................ Steve Jazwiec Council Member..................... Tammy Bergstrom Council Member....................... Gail Mancewicz
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Rockford Living Magazine 2013 / 2014