The Cottage Grove Village Board on Aug. 18 voted to award the construction contract for the new police station and approved adding rooftop solar as an alternate, directing staff to proceed with the lowest responsible bidder that included the solar alternate.

The vote followed presentations from the village’s construction manager and consultants showing five competitive bids that came in well under earlier cost estimates. Mike from Enberg Anderson told trustees the bids were tightly grouped and that Riley Construction offered the lowest bid when the solar alternate (Alternate 1) was included. Village Attorney Rick summarized the law on public construction contracts and said the board must accept the lowest responsible bidder unless the record shows incompetence or inability to perform.

Why it matters: trustees said the decision affects multi‑million‑dollar capital spending and the building’s long‑term operating costs. Supporters argued the solar panels reduce future energy expenses and improve resilience; staff said federal and state incentives could materially change payback timing but are not guaranteed.

Enberg Anderson’s memo noted five bidders and no irregularities in the bids. Mike said the simple payback for the proposed solar array was about 10.6 years before incentives and that additional incentives (an estimated Focus on Energy rebate and a potential federal IRA tax credit) were not included in the packet numbers. Finance staff summarized the budget effects and presented a year‑one gross tax impact estimate for the total project as discussed during the budget review. Attorney Rick told the board that, for the base bid without alternates, the village must accept the lowest responsible bidder; if the board chooses to add Alternate 1 (solar), the bidder identified as lowest with that alternate becomes the lowest responsible bidder.

Public speakers at the meeting urged the board to add solar. Casey Erlinson, who identified himself as an Alliant Energy employee, told the board: "Solar energy is absolutely an investment that pays back," and cited memo figures that, he said, would cut the station’s energy bill and provide resilience.

After discussion about incentives and risks, Trustee Severson moved to award the bid including the solar alternate to the bidder identified in the bid review; Trustee Benzo seconded. The board took a roll‑call vote; the motion passed with five ayes and one no (Stoa opposed). The village will proceed to finalize contract documents and next‑step procurement tasks.

What’s next: staff said they will finalize the contract and pursue available incentive applications and grant opportunities; construction pre‑mobilization and permitting steps will follow. The board asked staff to track eligibility for federal and state tax credits and to report back if incentive assumptions change.