1995 Wisconsin Act 201

201,101 Section 101 . 59.031 of the statutes is renumbered 59.17, and 59.l7 (1), (2) (intro.), (a), (b), (bm) 1. c. and 2., (br) and (c) and (3) to (8), as renumbered, are amended to read:

59.17 (1) Election and term of office. (a) In each county having with a population of 500,000 or more, a county executive shall be elected for a 4-year term of 4 years at the election to be held on the first Tuesday in April of each year in which county supervisors are elected, and shall take office on the first Monday in May following the election. The county executive shall be elected from residents of the county at large by a majority vote of all qualified electors in the county voting in the election. In any county which attains a population of 500,000 or more, the first election under this paragraph shall be held on the first Tuesday in April in the year following the official announcement of the federal census.

(b) Counties having with a population of less than 500,000 may by resolution of the county board or by petition and referendum create the office of county executive or abolish it by petition and referendum. If the office of county executive is abolished, the person serving in the office shall complete the term to which elected. The county executive shall be elected the same as a county executive is elected under par. (a) for a term of 4 years commencing with the 1st first spring election occurring at least 120 days after the creation of the office and shall take office on the 3rd Tuesday in April of that year. Such petition and election shall follow the procedure provided in s. 9.20 (1) to (6), except that in case of conflict this subsection shall control.

(2) Duties and powers. (intro.) The county executive shall be the chief executive officer of the county. The county executive shall take care that every county ordinance and state or federal law is observed, enforced and administered within his or her county if such the ordinance or law is subject to enforcement by the county executive or any person supervised by the county executive. The duties and powers of the county executive shall be, without restriction limitation because of enumeration, to:

(a) Coordinate and direct by executive order or otherwise all administrative and management functions of the county government not otherwise vested by law in other elected officers.

(b) In any county with a population of 500,000 or more, appoint and supervise the heads of all departments except where the statutes provide that the appointment shall be made by a board or commission or by other elected officers. Notwithstanding any statutory provision that a board or commission or the county board or county board chairperson appoint a department head, except ss. 17.21 and 59.72 59.47 (3), the county executive shall appoint and supervise the department head. Notwithstanding any statutory provision that a board or commission supervise the administration of a department, the department head shall supervise the administration of the department and the board or commission shall perform any advisory or policy-making function authorized by statute. Any appointment by the county executive under this paragraph requires the confirmation of the county board unless the county board, by ordinance, elects to waive confirmation. Any department head appointed by a county executive under this subsection may be removed at the pleasure of the county executive.

(bm) 1. c. The director of the county department of administration under s. 59.035 (1) 59.52 (1) (a).

2. Each appointment under subd. 1. is subject to the confirmation of the county board and is in the unclassified service, serving at the pleasure of the county executive and holding office until a new appointment is made by the county executive and confirmed by the county board. No prior appointee may serve longer than 6 months after the term for which he or she was appointed and confirmed expires, unless reappointed and reconfirmed. The term of each appointment is 4 years or less.

(br) In any county with a population of less than 500,000, appoint and supervise the heads of all county departments except those elected by the people and except where the statutes provide that the appointment shall be made by other elected officers. Notwithstanding any statutory provision that a board or commission or the county board or county board chairperson appoint a department head, except s. 17.21, the county executive shall appoint and supervise the department head. Notwithstanding any statutory provision that a board or commission supervise the administration of a department, the department head shall supervise the administration of the department and the board or commission shall perform any advisory or policy-making function authorized by statute. An appointment by the county executive under this subsection requires the confirmation of the county board unless the county board, by ordinance, elects to waive confirmation or unless the appointment is made under a civil service system competitive examination procedure established under s. 59.07 (20) 59.52 (8) or ch. 63. Any department head appointed by a county executive under this subsection may be removed at the pleasure of the county executive unless the department head is appointed under a civil service system competitive examination procedure established under s. 59.07 (20) 59.52 (8) or ch. 63.

(c) Appoint the members of all boards and commissions where appointments are required and where the statutes provide that the appointments are made by the county board or by the chairperson of the county board. All appointments to boards and commissions by the county executive are subject to confirmation by the county board.

(3) Administrative secretaries to county executive; staff. The county executive may appoint administrative secretaries using hiring procedures which shall be exempt from county civil service competitive examination procedures and such additional staff assistants as the county board provides.

(4) Compensation of county executive, deputy, and staff assistants. The county board shall fix the compensation of the county executive, the county executive's administrative secretary and the county executive's staff assistants, provided that the salary of the county executive shall be established at least 90 days prior to any election held to fill the office.

(5) (title) Message to the county board; submission of annual budget. The county executive shall annually, and otherwise as may be necessary, communicate to the board the condition of the county, and shall recommend such matters to the board for its consideration as he or she considers expedient. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, he or she shall be responsible for the submission of the annual budget to the board and may exercise the power to veto any increases or decreases in the budget under sub. (6).

(6) County executive to approve or veto resolutions or ordinances; proceedings on veto. Every resolution adopted or ordinance passed enacted by the county board shall, before it becomes effective, be presented to the county executive. If the county executive approves, the county executive shall sign it; if not, the county executive shall return it with his or her objections, which objections shall be entered at large upon the journal and the board shall proceed to reconsider the matter. Appropriations may be approved in whole or in part by the county executive and the part approved shall become law, and the part objected to shall be returned in the same manner as provided for in other resolutions or ordinances. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members-elect of the county board agree to pass adopt the resolution or enact the ordinance or the part of the resolution or ordinance objected to, it shall become effective on the date prescribed but not earlier than the date of passage following reconsideration. In all such cases, the votes of the members of the county board shall be determined by ayes and nays and the names of the members voting for or against the resolution or ordinance or the part thereof objected to shall be entered on the journal. If any resolution or ordinance is not returned by the county executive to the county board at its first meeting occurring not less than 6 days, Sundays excepted, after it has been presented to the county executive, it shall become effective unless the county board has recessed or adjourned for a period in excess of 60 days, in which case it shall not be effective without the county executive's approval.

(7) Removal from office; vacancy, how filled. The county executive may be removed from office by the governor for cause under s. 17.16. A vacancy in the office of county executive shall be filled temporarily, within 30 days of the date of the vacancy, by appointment by the chairperson of the board, subject to confirmation by the board, from among electors of the county. Within 7 days following the occurrence of the vacancy, the clerk shall order a special election to be held under s. 8.50 to fill the vacancy. If the vacancy occurs after October 31 but not later than 49 days prior to before the day of the spring primary, the special election shall be held concurrently with the spring primary and election.

(8) Succession in office. (a) In the event of the inability of the county executive to serve because of mental or physical disease, the powers and duties of the office shall devolve upon the chairperson of the county board until such time as the disability shall cease.

(b) In the event that a vacancy in the office of county executive occurs, the chairperson of the county board shall immediately succeed to the office and assume the duties and responsibilities thereof until the county board has confirmed an appointment to the office pursuant to under sub. (7).

201,102 Section 102 . 59.033 of the statutes is renumbered 59.18 and amended to read:

59.18 County administrator. (1) Appointment. Counties having a population of less than 500,000 may by resolution of the county board or by petition and referendum create the office of county administrator. The county administrator shall be appointed by majority vote of the county board. Such petition and election shall follow the procedure provided in s. 9.20 (1) to (6). If any member of the county board is appointed as county administrator, his or her status as a member of the county board is thereby terminated, except that in the case of a vacancy in the office of county administrator by reason of removal, resignation or other cause, the county board may appoint any member of the county board as acting county administrator to serve for a period of 15 days while the county board is considering the selection of a county administrator.

(2) Duties and powers. The county administrator shall be the chief administrative officer of the county. The county administrator shall take care that every county ordinance and state or federal law is observed, enforced and administered within his or her county if such the ordinance or law is subject to enforcement by the county administrator or any other person supervised by the county administrator. The duties and powers of the county administrator shall be, without restriction limitation because of enumeration, to:

(a) Coordinate and direct by administrative order or otherwise all administrative and management functions of the county government not otherwise vested by law in boards or commissions, or in other elected officers.

(b) Appoint and supervise the heads of all departments of the county except those elected by the people and except where the statutes provide that the appointment shall be made by elected officers; but the county administrator shall also appoint and supervise all department heads where the law provides that the appointment shall be made by a board or commission, by the chairperson of the county board or by the county board. Notwithstanding any statutory provision that a board or commission supervise the administration of a department, the department head shall supervise the administration of the department and the board or commission shall perform any advisory or policy-making function authorized by statute. Any appointment by the county administrator under this paragraph requires the confirmation of the county board unless the county board, by ordinance, elects to waive confirmation or unless the appointment is made under a civil service system competitive examination procedure established under s. 59.07 (20) 59.52 (8) or ch. 63. Any department head appointed by a county administrator under this paragraph may be removed at the pleasure of the county administrator unless the department head is appointed under a civil service system competitive examination procedure established under s. 59.07 (20) 59.52 (8) or ch. 63.

(c) Appoint the members of all boards and commissions where the statutes provide that such appointment shall be made by the county board or by the chairperson of the county board. All appointments to boards and commissions by the county administrator shall be subject to the confirmation of the county board.

(3) Administrative secretary to county administrator; staff. The county administrator may appoint an administrative secretary, and such additional staff assistants, as necessary.

(4) Compensation of county administrator and staff. The county board shall fix the compensation of the county administrator, the county administrator's administrative secretary and the county administrator's staff assistants.

(5) (title) Message to the county board; submission of annual budget. The county administrator shall annually, and otherwise as necessary, communicate to the county board of supervisors the condition of the county, and recommend such matters to them for their the board for its consideration as the county administrator deems considers expedient. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, the county administrator shall be responsible for the submission of the annual budget to the county board.

(6) Qualifications for appointment. The county administrator shall be appointed solely on merit. In appointing the county administrator, the county board shall give due regard to training, experience, administrative ability and general qualifications and fitness for performing the duties of the office, and no person shall be eligible to the office of county administrator, who is not by training, experience, ability and efficiency qualified and generally fit to perform the duties of such office. No weight or consideration shall be given by the county board to residence, to nationality, or to political or religious affiliations.

(7) Removal. The county board may remove the county administrator at any time that the county administrator's conduct of the county administration becomes unsatisfactory, and engage a successor. The action of the county board in removing the county administrator shall be final.

(8) Vacancy, how filled. A vacancy in the office of the county administrator by reason of removal, resignation or other cause, shall be filled by appointment by majority vote of the county board.

201,103 Section 103 . 59.034 of the statutes is renumbered 59.19 and amended to read:

59.19 Administrative coordinator. In any county which has not created the office of county executive or county administrator, the county board shall designate, no later than January 1, 1987, an elected or appointed official to serve as administrative coordinator of the county. The administrative coordinator shall be responsible for coordinating all administrative and management functions of the county government not otherwise vested by law in boards or commissions, or in other elected officers.

201,104 Section 104 . 59.035 of the statutes is renumbered 59.52 (1) and amended to read:

59.52 (1) Department of administration. (a) In counties having with a population of 500,000 or more, the county may create a department of administration, provide for the appointment by the county executive of a director of such department and assign such administrative functions to the department as it deems considers appropriate, subject to the limitations of this subsection paragraph. No such function shall be assigned to the department where the performance of the same by some other county office, department or commission is required by any provision of the constitution or statutes of this state, except that administrative functions under the jurisdiction of the county civil service commission or the county auditor may be so assigned notwithstanding ss. 59.07 (20), 59.72, 59.84 sub. (8) and ss. 59.47, 59.60 and 63.01 to 63.17. Such director shall be appointed by the county executive in the unclassified civil service and is subject to confirmation by the county board, as provided in s. 59.031 59.17 (2) (bm).

(b) Any county having with a population of less than 500,000 may create a department of administration and assign any administrative function to the department as it deems considers appropriate, except that no administrative function may be assigned to the department if any other provision of state law requires the performance of the function by any other county office, department or commission unless the administrative function is under the jurisdiction of the county civil service commission or the county auditor, in which case, the function may be assigned to the department notwithstanding ss. 59.07 (20), 59.72, 59.84 sub. (8) and ss. 59.47, 59.60 and 63.01 to 63.17. Except as provided under sub. (1) par. (a), in any county with a county executive or county administrator, the county executive or county administrator shall have the authority to appoint and supervise the head of a department of administration; and except as provided under sub. (1) par. (a), the appointment is subject to confirmation by the county board unless the appointment is made under a civil service system competitive examination procedure established under s. 59.07 (20) sub. (8) or ch. 63.

201,105 Section 105 . 59.04 of the statutes is renumbered 59.11 and amended to read:

59.11 Meetings; adjournment; absentees. (1) (a) Every board shall hold an annual meeting on the Tuesday after the 2nd Monday of November in each year for the purpose of transacting business. Any board may by its rules establish by rule an earlier date during October or November for such the annual meeting and may by rule establish regular meeting dates throughout the year at which to transact general business. When the day of the meeting falls on November 11, the meeting shall be held on the next succeeding day.

(b) The annual meeting may be adjourned by the clerk, upon the written request of a majority of the supervisors, to a day designated in the request, but not less than one week nor more than 3 weeks from the Tuesday after the 2nd Monday of November. Upon such an adjournment being made, the clerk shall give each supervisor written notice of the time and place to which the annual meeting has been adjourned.

(c) The board, except in counties having with a population of 500,000 or more, shall meet on the third 3rd Tuesday of each April to organize and transact business. At this meeting the board may transact any business permitted at the annual meeting, including the appointment of all county commissions and committees. The meeting may be adjourned in the same manner as the annual meeting.

(2) A special meeting of any the board shall be held:

(a) Upon a written request of a majority of the supervisors delivered to the clerk, specifying the time and place of the meeting. The time shall not be less than 48 hours from the delivery of the request. Upon receiving the request the clerk shall forthwith immediately mail to each supervisor notice of the time and place of the meeting. Any special meeting may be adjourned by a vote of a majority of all the supervisors. The county board by ordinance may establish a separate procedure for convening the county board in a “declared emergency" as defined by county ordinance.

(b) For the purposes and in the manner prescribed in s. 31.06, with the right to adjourn the special meeting from time to time by a vote of a majority of all the supervisors entitled to a seat. The clerk shall mail written notice of the special meeting, specifying the time, place and purpose thereof of the meeting, to each supervisor not less than 2 weeks before the day set for such the meeting.

(3) All meetings shall be held in the county at places that are designated by the board. The board shall give adequate public notice of the time, place and purpose of each meeting.

(4) The board shall sit with open doors, and all persons conducting themselves in an orderly manner may attend. If any supervisor misses or leaves a meeting of the board without good cause or without being first excused by the board, the chairperson may issue a warrant requiring the sheriff or some constable forthwith immediately to arrest and bring the supervisor before the board. The expenses of the arrest shall be deducted from the pay of the member unless otherwise directed by the board. The board may punish its members for infraction of its rules by imposing the penalty provided in the rules.

201,106 Section 106 . 59.05 of the statutes is renumbered 59.12 and amended to read:

59.12 Chairperson; vice chairperson; powers and duties. (1) The board, at the first meeting after each regular election at which members are elected for full terms, shall elect a member chairperson. The chairperson shall perform all duties required of the chairperson until the board elects a successor. The chairperson may administer oaths to persons required to be sworn concerning any matter submitted to the board or a committee thereof of the board or connected with their powers or duties. The chairperson shall countersign all ordinances of the board, and shall preside at meetings when present. When directed by ordinance the chairperson shall countersign all county orders, transact all necessary board business with local and county officers, expedite all measures resolved upon by the board and shall take care that all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to county government are enforced.

(2) The board at the time of the election of the chairperson shall also elect a member vice chairperson, for the same term, who in case of the absence or disability of the chairperson shall perform the chairperson's duties. The board at the time of the election of the chairperson may also elect a member 2nd vice chairperson, for the same term, who in case of the absence or disability of the chairperson and vice chairperson shall perform the duties of the chairperson. The board may provide for the payment of additional compensation to the vice chairpersons.

(3) In case of the absence of a chairperson for any meeting the members present shall choose a another member to be temporary chairperson.

201,107 Section 107 . 59.06 of the statutes is renumbered 59.13 and amended to read:

59.13 Committees; appointment; compensation. (1) The board may, by resolution designating the purposes and prescribing the duties thereof and manner of reporting, authorize their chairperson to appoint before June 1 in any year committees from the members of the board, and the committees so appointed shall perform the duties and report as prescribed in such the resolution.

(2) Except as provided under sub. (3), committee members shall receive such compensation for their services as the board allows, not exceeding the per diem and mileage allowed to members of the board and such the committee members shall receive such compensation, mileage and reimbursement for other expenses as the board allows for their attendance at any school, institute or meeting which the board directs them to attend. No supervisor shall be allowed pay for committee service while the board is in session, nor for mileage except in connection with services performed within the time herein limited under this subsection. The number of days for which compensation and mileage may be paid a committee member in any year, except members of committees appointed to have charge of the erection of any county building, and except as otherwise provided by law, are limited as follows:

(a) In counties containing less than 25,000 population, to 20 days, not more than 10 of which shall be for services on any one committee, except that the board may increase the number of committee meetings as provided in under par. (b) and similarly fix the compensation of the members for the additional meetings.

(b) In other counties with a population of 25,000 or more, to 30 days for services on committees, except that the board may, by a two-thirds vote of the members present, increase the number of days for which compensation and mileage may be paid in any year and fix the compensation for each additional day.

(3) A supervisor in a county having with a population of 500,000 or more may not accept any compensation in addition to his or her regular salary for serving as a member of any committee, board or commission appointed by the county board or by the county executive.

201,108 Section 108 . 59.065 of the statutes is renumbered 59.70 (5) and amended to read:

59.70 (5) Private sewage system ordinance. (a) Every governmental unit responsible for the regulation of private sewage systems, as defined under s. 145.01 (5), shall adopt enact an ordinance governing private sewage systems, as defined in s. 145.01 (12), which conforms with the state plumbing code. The ordinance shall apply to the entire area of the governmental unit responsible for the regulation of private sewage systems, as defined under s. 145.01 (5). After July 1, 1980, no city, village or town municipality may adopt enact or enforce a private sewage system ordinance unless it is a governmental unit responsible for the regulation of private sewage systems, as defined under s. 145.01 (5).

(b) The governmental unit responsible for the regulation of private sewage systems, as defined under s. 145.01 (5), shall administer the private sewage system ordinance in accordance with under s. 145.20 and the rules promulgated under s. 145.20.

201,109 Section 109 . 59.067 of the statutes is renumbered 59.70 (6), and 59.70 (6) (a) (intro.) and (b) to (e), as renumbered, are amended to read:

59.70 (6) (a) Definitions. (intro.) As used in In this section subsection:

(b) Permits. If authorized by the department under s. 162.07 (1), a county may adopt enact and enforce a well construction or pump installation ordinance or both. Provisions of the ordinance shall be in strict conformity with ch. 162 and with rules of the department under ch. 162. The ordinance may require that a permit be obtained before construction, installation, reconstruction or rehabilitation of a private well or installation or substantial modification of a pump on a private well, other than replacement of a pump with a substantially similar pump. The county may establish a schedule of fees for issuance of the permits and for related inspections. The department, under s. 162.07 (4), may revoke the authority of a county to enforce its ordinance if the department finds that the ordinance or enforcement of the ordinance does not conform to ch. 162 and rules of the department under ch. 162.

(c) Existing wells. With the approval of the department under s. 162.07 (1), a county may adopt enact and enforce an ordinance in strict conformity with ch. 162 and with department rules under ch. 162, as they relate to existing private wells. The department, under s. 162.07 (4), may revoke the authority of a county to enforce its ordinance if the department finds that the ordinance or enforcement of the ordinance does not conform to ch. 162 and rules of the department under ch. 162.

(d) Enforcement. A county may provide for enforcement of ordinances adopted enacted under this section subsection by forfeiture or injunction or both. The district attorney or county corporation counsel may bring enforcement actions.

(e) Other municipalities. No city, village or town municipality may adopt enact or enforce an ordinance regulating matters covered by ch. 162 or by department rules under ch. 162.

201,110 Section 110 . 59.07 (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 59.51 (1) and amended to read:

59.51 (1) (title) General powers of board Organizational or administrative powers. The board of each county shall have the authority to exercise any organizational or administrative power, subject only to the constitution and any enactment of the legislature which grants the organizational or administrative power to a county executive or county administrator or to a person supervised by a county executive or county administrator or any enactment which is of statewide concern and which uniformly affects every county. Any organizational or administrative power conferred under this section subchapter shall be in addition to all other grants. A county board may exercise any organizational or administrative power under this section subchapter without limitation due to because of enumeration. The board of each county may exercise the following powers, which, and these powers shall be broadly and liberally construed and limited only by express language:.

201,111 Section 111 . 59.07 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 59.52 (6) and amended to read:

59.52 (6) Property. (a) How acquired; purposes. Take and hold land acquired under ch. 75 and acquire, lease or rent property, real and personal, for public uses or purposes of any nature, including without limitation acquisitions for county buildings, airports, parks, recreation, highways, dam sites in parks, parkways and playgrounds, flowages, sewage and waste disposal for county institutions, lime pits for operation under s. 59.873 59.70 (24), equipment for clearing and draining land and controlling weeds for operation under s. 59.874 59.70 (18), ambulances, acquisition and transfer of real property to the state for new collegiate institutions or research facilities, and for transfer to the state for state parks and for the uses and purposes specified in s. 23.09 (2) (d).

(b) Control; actions. Make all orders concerning county property and may commence and maintain actions to protect the interests of the county.

(c) Transfers. Direct the clerk to lease, sell or convey or contract to sell or convey any county property, not donated and required to be held for a special purpose, on such terms as that the board approves. In addition, any county property may, by gift or otherwise, be leased, rented or transferred to the United States, the state, any other county within the state or any municipality or school district within the county. Oil, gas and mineral rights may be reserved and leased or transferred separately.

(d) Construction, maintenance and financing of county-owned buildings and public works projects: 1. Construct, purchase, acquire, lease, develop, improve, extend, equip, operate and maintain all county buildings, structures and facilities hereinafter in this subsection referred to as “projects", including without limitation because of enumeration swimming pools, stadiums, golf courses, tennis courts, parks, playgrounds, bathing beaches, bathhouses and other recreational facilities, exhibition halls, convention facilities, convention complexes, including indoor recreational facilities, dams in county lands, garbage incinerators, courthouses, jails, schools, hospitals and facilities for medical education use in conjunction with such hospitals, home for the aged or indigent, regional projects, sewage disposal plants and systems, and including all property, real and personal, pertinent or necessary for such purposes.

2. Finance such projects, including necessary sites, by the issuance of revenue bonds under s. 66.066, and payable solely from the income, revenues and rentals and fees derived from the operation of the project financed from the proceeds of said the bonds. If any such project is constructed on a site owned by the county prior to before the issuance of such the bonds, the county shall be reimbursed from the proceeds of such the bonds in the amount of not less than the reasonable value of such the site. The reasonable value of such the site shall be determined by the county board after having obtained written appraisals of value by 2 freeholders general appraisers, as defined in s. 458.01 (11), in the county having a reputation for skill and experience in appraising real estate values. Any bonds issued pursuant to under this subsection shall not be included in arriving at the constitutional debt limitation.

3. Operate or lease such projects in their entirety or in part, and impose fees or charges for the use of or admission to such projects. Such projects may include space designed for leasing to others if such space is incidental to the purposes thereof.

(e) Leases to department of natural resources. Lease lands owned by the county to the department of natural resources for game management purposes. Lands so leased shall not be eligible for entry under s. 28.11. Of the rental paid by the state to the county for lands so leased, 60% shall be retained by the county and 40% shall be paid by the county to the town in which said the lands are located and of the amount received by the town, 40% shall be paid by the town to the school district in which said the lands are located. The amount so paid by a town to a joint school district shall be credited against the amount of taxes certified for assessment in that town by the clerk of the joint school district under s. 120.17 (8), and the assessment shall be reduced by such amount. In case any leased land is located in more than one town or school district the amounts paid to them shall be apportioned on the basis of area. This paragraph shall not affect the distribution of rental moneys received on leases executed before June 22, 1955.

201,112 Section 112 . 59.07 (1m) of the statutes is renumbered 59.52 (24) and amended to read:

59.52 (24) Parking areas. Enact The board may enact ordinances providing for establishing areas for parking of vehicles on lands owned or leased by the county; for regulating, permitting, or prohibiting, restricting or limiting parking of vehicles on such areas or parts of such areas, including, without limitation by reason of enumeration but not limited to, provision for parking in such areas or parts thereof for only certain purposes or by only certain personnel; for penalties forfeitures for violations thereof, but not to exceed the sum of $50 for each offense; and for the enforcement of such ordinances.

201,113 Section 113 . 59.07 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 59.52 (11) and amended to read:

59.52 (11) Insurance. (a) Liability and property damage. Provide public liability and property damage insurance, either in commercial companies or by self-insurance created by setting up an annual fund for such purpose or by a combination thereof, covering without exclusion limitation because of enumeration , motor vehicles, malfeasance of professional employes, maintenance and operation of county highways, parks, parkways and airports and any other county activities involving the possibility of damage to the general public.

(b) Fire and casualty. Provide for fire and casualty insurance for all county property.

(c) Employe insurance. Provide for individual or group hospital, surgical and life insurance for county officers and employes and for payment of premiums therefor for such officers and employes. In addition, a county with at least 100 employes may elect to provide health care benefits on a self-insured basis to its officers and employes, and any 2 or more counties which together have at least 100 employes may jointly provide health care benefits on a self-insured basis to officers and employes of the counties. Counties which elect to provide health care benefits on a self-insured basis to their officers and employes shall be subject to the requirements set forth under s. 120.13 (2) (c) to (e) and (g).

(d) Bonds of officers and employes. Provide for the protection of the county and public against loss or damage resulting from the act, neglect or default of county officers, department heads and employes and to may contract for and procure bonds or contracts of insurance to accomplish that purpose either from commercial companies or by self-insurance created by setting up an annual fund for such purpose or by a combination thereof. Any number of officers, department heads or employes not otherwise required by statute to furnish an official bond may be combined in a schedule or blanket bond or contract of insurance. So far as applicable ss. 19.01 (2), (2m), (3), (4) (d) and (dd) and 19.07 shall apply to such bonds or contracts of insurance. The bond shall be for a definite period, and each renewal thereof shall constitute a new bond for the principal amount covering the renewal period.

201,114 Section 114 . 59.07 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 59.52 (12) and amended to read:

59.52 (12) Accounts and claims; settlement. (a) Examine and settle all accounts of the county and all claims, demands or causes of action against the county and issue county orders therefor. In counties having with a population of less than 50,000, the board may delegate its power in regard to current accounts, claims, demands or causes of action against the county to a standing committee where the amount does not exceed $5,000. In counties having with a population of 50,000 or more, the board may delegate its power in regard to current accounts, claims, demands or causes of action against the county to a standing committee if the amount does not exceed $10,000. Instead of delegating its power under this paragraph to a standing committee, the board may, by resolution adopted by majority vote, delegate such power to the chairperson of a standing committee. Such a resolution remains in effect for one year after its effective date or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

(b) The board may delegate Delegate its power in regard to any claim, demand or cause of action not exceeding $500 to the corporation counsel. If the corporation counsel finds that payment of the claim to a claimant is justified, the corporation counsel may order the claim paid. The claim shall be paid upon certification of the corporation counsel and shall be annually reported to the board.

201,115 Section 115 . 59.07 (3m) of the statutes is renumbered 59.52 (13) and amended to read:

59.52 (13) Injured county workers. May The board may, in addition to any payments made under ch. 102, make further payment in such amounts as the board determines to any county employe injured at any time before January 1, 1937, while performing services for the county, in cases in which such further payments were made over a period of time following the injury and were based on a moral obligation to such employe.

201,116 Section 116 . 59.07 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 59.51 (2) and amended to read:

59.51 (2) General authority. Represent The board may represent the county, have the management of the business and concerns of the county in all cases where no other provision is made, apportion and levy taxes and appropriate money to carry into effect any of its the board's powers and duties.

201,117 Section 117 . 59.07 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 59.52 (2) and amended to read:

59.52 (2) Public records. Prescribe The board may prescribe the form and manner of keeping the records in any county office and the accounts of county officers. The board may adopt enact an ordinance designating legal custodians for the county. Unless prohibited by law, the ordinance may require the clerk or the clerk's designee to act as legal custodian for the board and for any committees, commissions, boards or authorities created by ordinance or resolution of the board.

201,118 Section 118 . 59.07 (7) of the statutes is renumbered 59.52 (9) and amended to read: