Like to plan ahead?

We’ve got news. The 2026 preliminary budget is in for Cottage Grove, and tax notices are coming. Approved Sept. 3, the 2026 preliminary Cottage Grove budget includes a $29.855 million property tax levy, rising to $30,027,500 when combined with the $142,500 HRA levy.

A Truth In Taxation hearing for public comment to be held Dec. 3, at which the final property tax levy will be set.

The proposed 2026 priority tax levy can be lowered but not raised at that time.

As for property tax notices for the upcoming year these will be mailed to local homeowners in November, with a median home (defined as $369,200 in value) due to pay approximately $1,434 in property taxes, or $717 per six month period.

For those who plan monthly, it’s $119.50. So what does one get in exchange?

Government services, split among police, fire, Ems, parks, and more. Broken down further, a median homeowner can expect to contribute $53.83 per month towards public safety (divided into police, fire, and EMS), $19.38 towards public works (defined as streets pathways and plowing), $12.85 towards parks and recreation (divided into parks, trails, facilities, and activities), $17.83 to debt service (for capital infrastructure in streets and buildings), $12.07 to general government (defined as administration, communications, finance, and information technology), $1.31 to economic development (specified as housing redevelopment authority), $2.07 for contingency (meaning funds for unexpected costs), and a full six cents towards community development, defined as building and planning.

Currently composed of a tax base 78.9 residential and 21.1 percent commercial and industrial, the taxable market value in Cottage Grove is $6.5 billion, an increase of 76 percent from 2020 due to new construction and market value appreciation.

A Truth in Taxation hearing for Cottage Grove is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 3 at City Hall, following November property tax notices.