Cross Plains sustainability committee weighs geothermal, solar and Focus on Energy review for new village hall

The Village of Cross Plains Sustainability Committee on Jan. 22 discussed energy choices for the new village hall and police station, including the cost and feasibility of geothermal, planned rooftop solar, enrollment in Focus on Energy’s pre‑construction program, and adding electric‑vehicle charging infrastructure.

Committee members said an architect and a Focus on Energy representative have told them a closed‑loop geothermal system could add roughly $100,000–$200,000 to construction costs with a multi‑year payback (committee members described a 10–15 year estimate provided by project consultants). The committee heard that a large rooftop solar array is already shown on the latest renderings and that solar could improve the financial case for electric heating systems because solar generation offsets the electric load geothermal systems create.

Why it matters: the committee framed the discussion around short‑term construction budgets versus life‑cycle energy costs. Several members said the village still must decide whether to accept higher upfront costs for potential long‑term savings and emissions reductions, and whether to enroll the project in outside technical assistance that could change equipment choices and unlock rebates.

Key details and next steps

- Focus on Energy: Committee members reported an email conversation with Joe, a Focus on Energy representative, who recommended the village join a pre‑construction pathway in which Focus on Energy reviews plans and suggests higher‑efficiency options (described as tiered “good/better/best” approaches). Members asked staff to follow up to determine whether there is a cost for Focus on Energy’s early involvement and whether existing committee funds could cover any nominal fee.

- Solar and geothermal tradeoffs: The architect’s drawings already show large arrays on most of the roof. Committee members said the architect indicated rooftop solar was proposed after community input and that no village board members had objected at the board meeting the committee member attended. Committee members noted that substantial rooftop solar could improve the operating economics of an electrically driven geothermal or air‑source heat pump system.

- Mechanical options: Members suggested air‑source heat pump options for rooftop mechanical units as a lower‑cost electrification alternative to deep‑drilled geothermal, and recommended Focus on Energy evaluate those options during plan review.

- EV charging and conduit rough‑in: Committee members urged that the project include electrical planning to support future EV charging — at minimum, conduit and capacity planning so chargers can be added later without major demolition. They also asked that the planned interior parking for police vehicles be assessed for future electric squad vehicle capability.

- Site and landscaping: The committee examined the site plan and drainage shown on the architect’s drawings. Members raised stormwater retention, native plantings and rain gardens as low‑cost measures that could reduce runoff and provide biodiversity benefits; they referenced a village requirement to retain stormwater onsite as part of the site review process.

Process and responsibilities

Carly (staff member) and the core planning group will bring Focus on Energy’s participation and any cost information back to the village board and to the committee before the architect proceeds with final construction documents. The committee also asked staff to confirm whether Wold (the architect/engineering firm on the project) includes landscape architecture in its scope or will contract that work out.

What was not decided

No formal vote or ordinance change occurred; the committee limited its actions to seeking further technical information and recommending that the village board consider Focus on Energy review and include low‑cost electrical rough‑ins for future EV charging.

Ending

Members asked the staff and the core planning group to present Focus on Energy’s cost and scope at the upcoming village board meeting so the board can determine whether to authorize the architect to proceed with construction documents under the project assumptions discussed.