The Cottage Grove City Council met Wednesday, Sept. 2 in the St. Croix Room at City Hall. Among agenda items was the swearing-in of a new police officer and selection of new sergeants and captains, proclamation of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and a new proposed property tax levy.
Presented by City Finance Director Brenda Malinowski and still out for final approval, the new proposed 2027 property tax levy totals $32.91 million, an increase of about $3.02 million, or 10.12 percent, from the $29.89 million levy adopted for 2026. The new proposed levy coincides with an increased tax capacity of approximately 4.3 percent from new growth and existing home appreciation.
The largest portion is the general fund levy, proposed at $25.97 million, up $2.18 million, or 9.19 percent. The debt levy would rise 11.81 percent to $4.78 million, an increase of $505,300. The EMS levy would see the largest percentage increase, climbing from $70,000 to $467,000, while the EDA levy would increase 26.67 percent to $237,500. Those increases would be partially offset by a 12.18 percent reduction in the equipment levy, which would fall from $927,700 to $814,700. Municipal building and park capital levies would remain unchanged at $450,000 and $190,000, respectively.
The proposed HRA levy for 2027 is $196,000, up $53,500, or 37.54 percent. When the city and HRA levies are combined, the proposed 2027 property tax levy totals $33.105 million, an increase of approximately $3.08 million, or 10.25 percent over 2026.
The proposal now awaits preliminary levy certification by Sept. 30, allowing for mailing to property tax statements to households in November before final adoption at the Dec. 2, 2027 council meeting. The preliminary levy can be lowered, but not raised.
Budget accomplishments as listed by the city including providing for the city’ portion fo the SAFER Grant to hire seven firefighters and paramedics, continuing to demonstrate the same level of city services, and maintain the distinction of an employer of choice, as well as demonstrating stewardship of capital assets and meet debt service requirements, while maintaining the fund balance target of the general fund and providing managed growth for a growing community with new positions in the 2027 budget. Last but not least, the city continues to be well positioned to respond to changes in the economy and economic uncertainty.
Also Sept. 2 were several officer swearing-ins, including a new officer, two sergeants, and two captains.
As for the new officer, his name is Cole Pfieffer, while the sergeants are Travis Mulvihill and Robert Swanson. The new captains are Justin Henseler and Patrick Nickle.
“Thank you for taking time out of your busy night to celebrate with us,” Cottage Grove Public Safety Director Brad Petersen said. “This is a night they’ll never forget.”
Starting with Pfieffer, he comes to Cottage Grove from Mahtomedi, earning a law enforcement degree from Century College and starting as a police officer for Cottage Grove in 2025. He was sworn in Wednesday by City Administrator Jennifer Levitt and pinned with badge by his fiancee Brooke.
Following Pfeifer, Petersen introduced two new sergeants.
The first, Travis Mulvhill, grew up in North St. Paul. At age 15 he joined the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Explorers Post. He started with Cottage Grove in 2017 as a community service officer, later hired in June 2018 as a police officer. Serving in a variety of roles over the years, Mulvhill has an associates degree in criminal justice from Century College and a bachelors degree in criminal justice leadership from the University of St. Mary’s in Minnesota. He enjoys spending time with family in his spare time, being pinned by his father Tom.
The second, Robert Swanson, graduated from Woodbury High School and served in the National Guard before coming to law enforcement. He has served multiple assignments with the Washington County Law Enforcement Task Force and is married with three daughters.
Mulvhill and Swanson were each sworn in by City Administrator Jennifer Levitt, followed with announcement of captains Justin Henseler and Patrick Nickle.
Nickle will be the new deputy public safety director, being a lifelong resident with time in the Marine Corps and later the Army Reserves. He has a total of 26 years in the military, including time as a commission officer. He joined the Cottage Grove Police upon leaving the military, and is a father with three kids. His badge pinning was by daughter Sarah.
As for Henseler, he was raised in Cottage Grove and will be the new captain overseeing professional standards and administrative position. Graduated from the University of Minnesota - Mankato with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, he worked at the Winnebago Police Department for two years. Hired by Cottage Grove in 2014 and holding several roles over the years, he was pinned with his badge by wife Jackie, following swearing-in by Levitt.