Frequently Asked Questions

Motorists can now get up to the minute travel information by either dialing 511 or going to a website now offered by WI DOT which provides travelers with traffic and road information of Wisconsin’s main highways, including the Interstate system. We may also occasionally post information on our

Details on winter parking in the Village are available on the Village website.

The Department has outgrown their current space at the Municipal Services Building (210 Progress Drive). The current facility was purchased and renovated in 2014 - 2015 to house the newly formed Village Police Department following dissolution of the joint Town - Village Department. The renovation of the existing building was designed to adequately house Police operations for about ten years of anticipated growth. The facility no longer meets the operational needs and security standards recommended for modern law enforcement.

The station will be constructed on the Village-owned property at the corner of Progress Drive and Bonnie Road, adjacent to the Municipal Services Building/current police station.

Yes, there will be (at least) two Public Information Meetings (PIM) dedicated to this project. Residents can provide input and ask questions about the project. The first PIM will take place October 29th, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Village Hall. The second PIM will be slated for early in 2025 as the project nears final design/review. Residents are also welcome to provide comments/feedback to the Village Board at the beginning of any Board meeting. Alternatively, you may submit written remarks to the Board at: villageboard@village.cottage-grove.wi.us. Monitor the Village website and social media for more information on date, time, and location of PIM #2.

It will improve public safety, aid in recruitment and retention, and provide a more efficient working environment for officers. There are also plans to create a welcoming meeting space for community interaction and engagement within the facility.

The current estimated cost is $20,700,000. The Village’s Financial Management Plan includes a total project budget of $23,220,000. There will be updated cost estimates during the design phase of the project. Ultimately, the project will need to be publicly bid, and the Village Board will need to award the bid (which will determine final cost).

The project will be funded with Village debt issuance. The approximate gross tax impact of the project on the current average assessed home ($315,000) is projected to be about $300. However, the Village has strategically planned the implementation of this project to coincide with: 1) the current police station/Municipal Services Building debt being paid off in full; and 2) the Village’s tax increment district #5 (a.k.a. Commerce Park and surrounding commercial area) is closing in ’26, which will greatly benefit the tax base. These significant financial events, combined with the Village’s continued surge in new taxable value driven by development, ultimately leads to an estimated projected net tax impact (for the average assessed home) of about $60 relative to the new Police Station (for 2026 taxes payable/due in 2027).

Construction is planned to commence in August of 2025, and be substantially complete by September 2026. For a more detailed timeline, please visit the webpage dedicated to this project: www.vi.cottagegrove.wi.gov/PoliceStation.

The vacated offices within the station will likely be utilized by other Village departments as the community continues to grow. Final plans for the old station will be determined at a later date by the Village Board.

The Village studied Police Station space needs to accommodate 20+ years of growth, however the cost was significant (about $35 Million) and deemed financially infeasible due to tax impact and debt capacity. The new station will be sufficient for the current department’s needs and anticipated growth for the next 10-15 years. The design will include scalable features and adaptable spaces and will be designed specifically to accommodate a planned future expansion (when needed). The total useful life of this facility (when factoring in future expansions) is 40+ years.

Preliminary plans for the station include a community meeting space.

Community members can stay informed by checking the Village’s dedicated project page for this facility: www.vi.cottagegrove.wi.gov/PoliceStation. You may also track the project by subscribing to Village notices/news flashes via our website, attending public meetings, and following the Village's official social media channels.

For more information, residents can contact the following staff: Police Chief Mark Garry, at (608) 839-4652 or mgarry@cottagegrovepolice.org; or Village Administrator Matt Giese, at (608) 839-4704 or mgiese@villageofcottagegrove.gov.

The Village of Cottage Grove Board voted in favor of placing a referendum question on the April 1, 2025 ballot, related to the construction and operation of the Village’s first public library. The referendum will ask voters whether or not they support up to a $1,300,000 increase in the property tax levy going forward to construct and operate a public library in the Village of Cottage Grove.

The formal resolution requesting permission to exceed the state revenue limit will appear as follows on the April 1 ballot: 

Under state law, the increase in the levy of the Village of Cottage Grove for the tax to be imposed for the next fiscal year, 2026, is limited to 4.355%, which results in a levy of $7,062,581. Shall the Village of Cottage Grove be allowed to exceed this limit and increase the levy for the next fiscal year, 2026, for the purpose of constructing and operating a library at 312 W Cottage Grove Road, Cottage Grove, WI 53527, by a total of 18.407%, which results in a levy of $8,362,581, and on an ongoing basis, include the increase of $1,300,000 for each fiscal year going forward?

If the referendum is approved by a majority of voters, the Village would be authorized to pursue next steps in exercising its option to purchase the building located at 312 W Cottage Grove Road, and develop a formal plan for the design and construction of the library (along with subsequent operations of the facility).

If the referendum is rejected by a majority of voters, the Village will not move forward with purchasing the property and operating a library service at 312 W Cottage Grove Road.

The State of Wisconsin limits the amount of property taxes a village can collect each year. In order to exceed the levy limit, the village needs voter approval through a village-wide referendum. Based on the Village’s current structure and funding mechanisms, an increase in the property tax levy would be required to fund the operational costs associated with a new library.

A public library service in the Village has been a topic of discussion for many years in the Village (dating back to the early 2000s). Over the last several years, the Village’s Library Board has considered the inclusion of a public library in the Village’s long-range financial plan.

Most recently, the Village Board re-engaged in discussions about the future of a potential new public library after a centrally located property, the former Learning Ladder daycare center located at 312 W Cottage Grove Road, was put up for sale. The Village Board is interested in hearing from voters to see whether or not they support the new service and its corresponding impact on property taxes.

No, the Village has not yet purchased the former Learning Ladder site. The property is currently under contract with the Village, with the option to purchase in the spring, so the property may be purchased if the referendum to fund the library is approved.

The former Learning Ladder space was identified by the Village Library Board as an option to pursue for a future library based on its central location and proximity to a community park and walking trail.

The Village of Cottage Grove Library Board transferred five acres of land on Fundamental Way to the Friends of the Cottage Grove Public Library in 2008. The Friends have pledged that if the land they currently hold on Fundamental Way is not used as the location for the public library, it be used to support the Cottage Grove library project.

Yes. The Village pursues related grants for projects on an ongoing basis. In addition, the tax impact for the library project could change based on the outcome of the library capital campaign and related donations from the community.

• As of March 2025, the Village’s capital campaign has received $500,000 in pledges from individuals and private organizations.
• In addition, the Friends have pledged that if the land they currently hold on Fundamental Way is not used as the location for the public library, that it be used to support the Cottage Grove library project.

The Village’s “Next Chapter Campaign” aims to raise at least $1,000,000 in private donations to help fund the capital costs of the potential future library and lessen the tax impact for Village residents if the referendum passes. To pledge a donation to the potential future library, visit www.vi.cottagegrove.wi.gov/LibraryCapitalCampaign.

If Cottage Grove voters approve the referendum, the Village would be authorized to increase the property tax levy up to $1,300,000, beginning with property tax bills issued in December 2025, and the authorized levy may be maintained each year going forward. 

The Village has updated its Financial Management Plan - which it uses to project its revenues, expenditures and financial stability - to forecast the potential tax impacts of adding a library as a core service. Residents can find the updated plan at www.vi.cottagegrove.wi.gov/2025FMP

The Village has forecasted the first five years of anticipated tax impacts of the service per $100,000 of equalized/market property value as follows: 

• $116 for 2026
• $92 for 2027
• $88 for 2028
• $83 for 2029
• $79 for 2030

To find your home’s equalized property value, please visit: https://accessdane.danecounty.gov/Home/Resources

If the referendum is approved and this project moves forward, the actual tax impact of this project may be less than these projections, depending on the outcome of a capital campaign and potential grants that may offset some of the project’s costs.

In addition, if the Village operates a library that meets Dane County Library Standards, the County will eliminate a library-related portion of the property tax from the overall County levy.

Operating a municipal library would require the Village to hire a number of staff members, in addition to costs related to operating the building (utilities, maintenance, books, equipment, furniture, etc.). The staffing required to support opening a library service in Cottage Grove to meet Dane County Library standards would be to hire 6-8 full-time equivalent staff, including a full-time library director. The library would be required to stay open approximately 45 hours a week with certain collection requirements. The scope of these costs are currently outside of what the Village has available within its allowable levy. 

The Village’s Annual Budget has two components: the Operating Budget and the Capital Budget.

• The Capital Budget funds major improvements to Village facilities and infrastructure. The Capital Budget is supported through multiple funding sources, including different types of bonds (i.e. borrowing, debt), grants and cash as well as other smaller sources of funding. The debt service associated with capital budgets are exempt from the state’s levy limits and are funded through the debt levy portion of the Village’s property tax.
• The Operating Budget pays for expenses such as personnel costs, facility operating costs and other expenses that fund Village services. It is funded primarily through local property taxes; shared revenue from the state; licenses, such as building and other fees; charges for services; fines and other smaller sources of revenue. Increases to the property tax levy for the Operating Budget are limited by Wisconsin State Statutes, and can otherwise only be increased through a referendum.

Given the scope and complexity of evaluating this location, the Village Board has approved hiring several firms to conduct various due diligence work and related projects as the Board considers a path forward with the Learning Ladder property:

• Engberg Anderson Architects is evaluating the proposed site and determining necessary and recommended improvements.
• Mueller Communications is providing strategic communications regarding the development of public information and educational campaign for a referendum.
• The Sweeney Group is developing and implementing a capital campaign regarding a possible library project at the former Learning Ladder property.

In October 2024 the Village Board retained Engberg Anderson Architects to determine the feasibility of using the former Learning Ladder site as a future public library. In a report presented to the Village Board in December 2024, Engberg Anderson Architects provided recommendations and options regarding the feasibility of remodeling the current building for a public library, razing the building and constructing a new building on the property. 

The report recommended that if the Village moves forward with the purchase of the property, it would be in the best interest of the Village to construct a new building on the site. This would be the best option to ensure the building’s space aligns with the requirements of a modern library, meets specific building codes and accessibility needs, and would be able to exist for decades to come. Costs associated with this option are estimated at $8.2M, based on the report delivered in December 2024, and do not include operating costs.  

Village voters can cast their vote one of three ways: through absentee mail-in ballots, early in-person absentee voting at the Village Clerk’s office, or in-person voting on election day, April 1, 2025.

Voters can request a mailed absentee ballot from the Village Clerk’s office. You may request an absentee ballot be mailed to you until 5 p.m. on March 27. Voters requesting an absentee ballot be mailed to them for all elections within the calendar year, indefinitely confined electors, and military electors not on active duty or away from their residences have until 5 pm on March 28. If you plan to return your absentee ballot using the U.S. Postal Service, please remember that the ballot must be RECEIVED by the Clerk’s Office by the close of polls on election day, April 1, 2025. Absentee ballots may be returned to your polling location, Clerk’s Office, or drop box outside of Village Hall. The final collection of absentee ballots from the drop box will occur at 7:30 pm on election night, but absentee ballots can still be returned to the polling location until the close of polls at 8 p.m. Absentee ballots received after the close of polls will not be counted.

Early in-person absentee voting will take place at Village Hall at 221 E. Cottage Grove Rd.. You may vote via an absentee ballot in the Clerk’s office during the days and hours specified.

In-person absentee voting will take place between March 18 and 29 with the following hours:

• Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• In addition, voting will be held during the following evening/Saturday hours:
  • Wednesday, March 19, 2025, until 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 25, 2025, until 5:00 p.m.
  • Friday, March 28, 2025, until 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to noon
• By appointment, if requested

On April 1, polling places will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. Wisconsin voters are required to show an acceptable photo ID in order to vote.

Additional voting information, including finding your polling place and requesting an absentee ballot, can be found on myvote.wi.gov. If you have further questions on voting, please contact the Village Clerk at 608-839-4704.

Official information about the referendum will be shared via the Village of Cottage Grove’s website: www.vi.cottagegrove.wi.gov/LibraryProject.

Send any questions or feedback to the Village of Cottage Grove at referendum@villageofcottagegrove.gov.

Based on the expected lifespan of this playground, it will likely need to be replaced between 2030 and 2035.  While replacement now is earlier than originally expected, it will provide opportunities for parallel play where youth, parents, grandparents, and guardians of all abilities can play together without barriers.  This opportunity is not possible with the current playground.  

Staff asked the designer of Dream Park if there was any way to modify the design to make it inclusive and accessible.  Unfortunately, there weren’t any options available.

Some of the current stand-alone elements, like the teeter totter, can be repurposed at other parks in the Village.  In addition, staff is exploring unique ways to reuse pieces of the Dream Park play structure in different ways.

All the donors for Dream Park will be recognized on panels placed throughout the playground.  In addition, the personalized brick pavers and tile wall will continue to be present at the entrance to the playground.

Given the proximity of this playground location to the Miracle League of Dane County's field, this is the ideal location for this playground.  This will allow participants in their program to come off the field and continue to play and engage with their new friends from their team.  All the players will be able to continue their connection before or after their games, which is an opportunity not available to them now with the current playground.

The playground company Miracle League of Dane County is working with has designed a playground that is for kids of all abilities, where every child can find their “just-right” fit through thrill that meets their needs, equipment that supports their unique selves, chances to collaborate and communicate, and to answer everyone’s unique needs and abilities.

The playground's design incorporates several features that ensure accessibility and promote inclusive play for all users. The ramped structure provides access from ground level to a 16-inch deck that connects to the SwayFun. The SwayFun is designed to accommodate mobility devices, allowing users with wheelchairs to engage in play alongside their peers.

The poured-in-place surfacing throughout the playground ensures smooth and easy access to all areas and ground-level components. This feature benefits users with mobility devices and those who can transfer out of their wheelchairs. While the ramps may not provide full access to the entire structure for all wheelchair users, the design allows for navigation around the partially ramped structure. This enables parallel play with peers and access to various ground-level panels on the structure.

The playground company has learned a great deal from the families, occupational therapists, and physical therapists they’ve collaborated with on inclusive playgrounds and Miracle Leagues. There is significant value in physically challenging play for children with developmental disabilities who are ambulatory.

Children with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and even ADHD benefit greatly from physical play with graduated challenges. This type of play helps them practice motor coordination and build executive function skills. These children often seek sensory input through climbing and the graduated challenges offered by the equipment. The company believes it's crucial that they continue to include both wheelchair-accessible features and more intricate climbing structures in their designs.

The following components are accessible at ground level for wheelchair users:

• Sensory Tunnel
• We-Go-Round
• Sensory Play Center with ground-level activity panels
• Rhapsody Drums for the 5-12 age group
• Talk Tube by the Volo Aire
• Communication Board
• Shade Structures
• Donor Maze Structure (entirely at ground level and wide enough for mobility devices)
• Rhapsody Drums for the 2-5 age group
• Ground-level panels on the ramped structure, in addition to access to the 16-inch deck attached to the SwayFun.
• Cozy Dome (users can look through this component to see siblings or peers inside, even if they cannot enter).

The Village has received feedback from parents who have asked about including a fence around the playground.  This has been communicated to Miracle League of Dane County, and they are exploring options with the playground designer.

The Miracle League of Dane County is committed to fundraising the full amount for this project, except for $125,000 they are asking the Village to contribute as an "anchor" gift.  This donation would show other potential donors the Village is in support of the project.  The Village is evaluating using Parkland Dedication fees, which are acquired as a fee for new developments, or a donation the Village received earmarked to support education and/or youth development.  If the Village Board decides to use either of these funding sources for the $125,000 donation request, then no direct tax dollars will be used for this project.

The Village will maintain the playground after it’s complete, which is the same situation with all of the parks the Village owns, including the current Dream Park.

The initial designs of the new playground included the tree in the center. After evaluation, the tree is not structurally sound and will need to be removed. To prevent root damage to the accessible surfacing, the tree will not be replaced.  Shade structures are included in the design to provide plenty of shaded areas for everyone enjoying the playground.

Assessors are required by law to update assessments and assessment records annually. State law also requires that each municipality update assessed values to reflect changes in market conditions as often as possible to maintain fair and equitable property taxation. A reassessment has no impact on the total amount of tax revenue collected but it might change the amount you owe.

There are four components to your property tax. 

• The tax levy is the amount of revenue needed to support entities such as your municipality, school district, county, and technical college.
• The tax base is the total assessed value of all the area’s properties and is the role of the assessor.
• The tax levy is divided by the tax base to get the tax rate (aka “mill rate”).
• This tax rate is then multiplied by your property’s assessed value. This calculation results in the amount of property taxes you owe.

A change in assessed value doesn’t always mean an increase or decrease in property taxes. During a year when all assessed values in your municipality are being increased to full market value, the tax rates will generally decrease proportionally. What matters is whether your assessment (on a percentage basis) has increased or decreased more than the municipality’s overall percentage change.

Assessors will consider all factors that may affect the value of your property, including size, construction type, age, amenities, location, and condition. They also must consider fair market value (which is what a typical buyer would pay for the property), as well as historical property data, home inspection findings and market trends. The best indication of your property’s value is a comparison to similar properties in your area that have been recently sold on the open market.

No, not all assessments change at the same rate. The recent activity of buyers and sellers in the community will dictate which types of property values are increasing more quickly than others. In one area, sales may have increased substantially while in another neighborhood, there may not be any change or even a decrease in property values. Different types of properties within the same neighborhood may also show different value changes. For example, one-story homes may be in more demand than two-story homes or vice versa, or older homes may be selling at a much higher rate.

It’s important to understand that assessors don’t determine tax rates or collect property taxes. An assessor also doesn’t create the assessed value of a property, but rather interprets what is happening in the marketplace through real estate sales.

In many cases, interior inspections aren’t needed. If your municipality has requested an interior inspection and you don’t allow access, the assessor will base your valuation on the next best information available, such as existing property records, building permits, etc. It’s generally in your best interest to allow the assessor to view the interior to make sure that your assessment is based on current and complete information about your home.

You have several rights as a Wisconsin property owner, including receiving notice of an inspection during a revaluation year, the right to say “no” to an inspection or speak with the assessor, and the right to appeal an assessment. However, agreeing to speak with assessors when requested, and allowing them to view the property, will ensure that they are using current and complete information when making a valuation.

Safety is a concern taken seriously; please know that AAC takes several precautions before entering your home.

• AAC sends a written notice to property owners of an inspection.  
• The AAC logo is clearly shown on our vehicles, the apparel the team wears, and their name tags. 
• When they arrive, AAC team members will identify themselves as working on assessments for your municipality and carry written identification.
• All AAC’s field appraisers are certified by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to perform assessment work and have undergone thorough background checks.