Cottage Grove tables regional EMS study; Deer Grove EMS budget stalls over full‑time office manager

Cottage Grove, Wis. — At the Village of Cottage Grove Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 6, trustees voted to table consideration of the village’s fire/EMS study request for proposals and directed staff to include a $40,000 placeholder in the administration’s recommended 2026 budget. The meeting also included an extended discussion of the Deer Grove EMS Commission’s 2026 budget, which was approved by the commission with funding for a new 40‑hour office manager position even though the commission did not formally create the job; several trustees and commissioners urged a smaller interim position or other safeguards until a regional study is completed.

The RFP for a fire/EMS operational study was released in August and closed in September without receiving formal proposals, though staff reported that three firms indicated interest but did not submit full bids. Village Administrator Cameron said, “my recommendation conservatively would be 40,000,” describing that figure as a placeholder to carry in the draft budget so the study could proceed if the Village and neighboring municipalities choose to do…