At its Nov. 3 meeting, the Cottage Grove Village Board approved a set of routine items that included a software contract change, a budget amendment, and a demolition contract.

NeoGov / Power Policy: Inga, presenting an unsolicited memo that had been omitted from the agenda, recommended moving the police department's existing PowerDMS instance to a new NeoGov contract to realize a 30% discount negotiated by the mutual insurance group. "We're going to cancel the contract that the police department has and reestablish a new contract in order to realize that 30% discount," Inga said. Staff said data will be migrated to a new instance and that the net change is a cost reduction; the change was approved after Trustee Severson moved and Murphy seconded the motion. Staff also explained that invoice 145657 (aggregate $7,871.14) is a prepaid 2026 Perform invoice allocated across funds.

Budget amendment: Cameron presented proposed 2025 budget amendment 2025-010 to adjust revenues and expenditures across multiple funds (debt service recognition of premium, capital carryovers, reclassification to professional services, and recognition of fees in fund 205). Cameron said closing TID 5 early accelerated some incentive payments but leaves strong positive budget performance: "We're looking at almost 2.2, 2.3" million more than originally projected in TID performance, he said. Trustee (speaker 7) moved to approve the amendment; trustees approved the motion by voice vote.

Demolition contract for village-owned property at '101': The board approved a contract with Bakken Excavating LLC to demolish a village-owned property identified in the packet as "101." The contract covers removal of structures and asphalt but excludes replanting seed; public works and parks will reseed the site next year and the cost will be charged to District 2. Murphy, who moved approval, noted the property has been valuable for firefighter rescue training prior to demolition.

Other approvals and actions: The board approved minutes (Oct. 20 and Oct. 27 budget workshop), Resolution 2025-24 recognizing Native American Heritage Month, Resolution 2025-25 appreciating Graham's service and livestream work, cancellation of the Dec. 15, 2025 meeting (to allow a joint meeting with the town on Dec. 8), and the voucher/bills list. The board read three items for potential closed sessions under Wisconsin Statute 19.85: a village administrator performance evaluation; negotiation of the New Tech Painting development agreement/lease; and an appeal of an operator license application.

Votes at a glance: Approved actions (movers, second when recorded)
- Minutes (Oct. 20; Oct. 27 budget workshop): mover Severson; second Buenzo; outcome: approved.
- Resolution 2025-24 (Native American Heritage Month): mover Severson; second Buenzo; outcome: approved.
- Resolution 2025-25 (Appreciation for Graham): mover Murphy; second Stoa; outcome: approved.
- Cancel Dec. 15, 2025 Village Board meeting: mover Severson; second Dahl; outcome: approved.
- NeoGov PowerDMS (Power Policy) contract: mover Severson; second Murphy; outcome: approved. Staff noted a 30% discount for members and modest annual savings.
- Budget amendment 2025-010: mover (speaker 7); second (recorded); outcome: approved.
- Demolition contract for village-owned property at '101' (Bakken Excavating LLC): mover Murphy; second Severson; outcome: approved.
- Bills / vouchers list: mover Severson; second recorded; outcome: approved.

What this means: Most items were routine approvals or administrative adjustments. The NeoGov change is intended to reduce subscription costs and consolidate instances; the budget amendment recognizes year-end variances and TID-related receipts; the demolition clears a village-owned structure that was previously used for firefighter training. The board scheduled three closed sessions to address personnel, negotiation, and an appeal.