Frequently Asked Questions

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.