Cynthia Kelm-Nelson for Village of Cottage Grove President

Current Village Positions

As a current Trustee, I serve in the following roles:

  • Library Board – President
  • Library Facilities Committee – Chair
  • Deer Grove EMS Commission – Secretary
  • Peer Court Steering Committee – Chair
  • Ad Hoc Centennial Committee – Chair
  • Tourism Commission – Member

Accomplishments

Village Board Accomplishments – 2024

Government & Financial Planning

  • Developed and approved the 2024 Budget
  • Conducted strategic planning preparation
  • Revised and approved the Financial Management Plan & Capital Projects Plan
  • Continued police station planning
  • Transitioned to a new trash provider for cost savings
  • Applied for the WEDC Vibrant Spaces Grant

Public Safety & Infrastructure

  • Transitioned to Restorative Justice practices
  • Approved new police officer hires
  • Increased public safety measures in the 2025 budget
  • Achieved fully staffed CG and Deerfield EMS locations
  • Purchased Access Trax mats for accessibility

Economic & Community Development

  • Attended the Amazon Facility Groundbreaking
  • Approved hiring a new parks maintenance position
  • Funded all village departments
  • Approved a Bike & Pedestrian Plan

Community Engagement & Inclusion

  • Raised the Pride Flag and Juneteenth Flag
  • Adopted a Disability Pride Month Resolution
  • Adopted a Native American Heritage Resolution

Library Progress

  • Approved Resolution to Support Due Diligence for the Library
  • Secured a successful budget increase for library programming and wrote multiple grants
  • Led due diligence efforts for the Learning Ladder acquisition as a potential library site
  • Launched the Library Capital Campaign as Chair
  • Hosted 115 library programs

Community Events & Initiatives

  • Led Centennial Celebration efforts
  • Delivered a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce on the history of Cottage Grove
  • Installed a StoryWalk for community engagement
  • Revised the Special Events Permit Application to enhance event planning and accessibility

Collaboration & Leadership

  • Established 1:1 monthly meetings with the Town Supervisor and School Board President
  • Updated the Village Mission, Vision, and Core Values
  • Open Office Hours each month to discuss the library and programming in Cottage Grove

Village Board Accomplishments – 2025

Community Engagement & Inclusion

  • Developed a Resolutions Spreadsheet to track and enhance inclusion initiatives

Library Progress

  • Approved a Library Referendum to advance the establishment of a public library in Cottage Grove
  • Continued grant writing and capital campaign to offset future library capital costs.

Government & Financial Planning

  • Revised the Financial Management Plan to incorporate legacy projects and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability