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Cottage Grove Library Board revisits strategic plan, eyes interim space and $8.3 million federal funding request
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Village of Cottage Grove Library Board voted to keep strategic-plan items in place while prioritizing a budget request to investigate interim physical space and monitoring a congressional directed funding request of $8,300,000.
The Village of Cottage Grove Library Board on April 16 discussed revisions to its 2024 strategic plan and agreed to seek Village Board guidance on pursuing interim physical space and budgeting for related investigations.
Board members said the strategic plan’s high-level priorities remain valid but that timelines and detailed actions need updating after delays in 2024. A board member noted the plan was approved in September but was put on hold while the village explored a learning lab opportunity; the board is now “reenergiz[ing]” the plan and adjusting timelines about eight months behind schedule.
Members discussed pursuing a smaller-scale capital ask for rental or interim programming space in 2026. One board member said any rental search would need to be investigated this summer and presented to the Village Board during the fall prioritization process so the village can rank the request for the 2026 budget cycle. A board member recalled an informal conversation with a realtor about potential costs but said the information was not formalized.
Board members also discussed keeping a line in the strategic plan that calls for continued budget and funding efforts year to year. The group voted informally by consensus to retain the budget/ funding language in the plan so the board can “quickly pivot” if funding opportunities arise.
Cameron (last name not specified) told the board there is a pending congressional directed funding request in the amount of $8,300,000 that was submitted on Cottage Grove’s behalf and that staff had followed up with Rep. Baldwin’s office. The board was told the Baldwin office remains “positive” about the request and that, if awarded, the Village Board could decide whether to place an operating referendum on the spring 2026 ballot and how to encumber the funds. The board emphasized that award details and any conditions would determine next steps.
Board members identified next steps: (1) include investigating interim space as a prioritization request for the Village Board’s fall budget process, (2) revisit making a programming position full time as a 2026 budget ask, and (3) continue monitoring the Baldwin office follow-up on the congressional funding request. The board asked staff to assemble preliminary data and spreadsheet materials to support any budget prioritization request.
The board’s discussion did not include a formal vote to begin acquisition; members framed the work as preliminary investigation to present options and cost estimates to the Village Board for ranking.
