SB424: Bill Text

SB424,30,24 229.861 Creation, organization, and administration. (1) Subject to sub. (5), 2 or more municipalities may create a special purpose district that is a unit of government, that is a body corporate and politic, that is separate and distinct from, and independent of, the state and the sponsoring municipalities, and that has the powers under s. 229.863, if the sponsoring municipalities do all of the following:

SB424,31,2 (a) Adopt an enabling resolution, subject to sub. (2), that does all of the following:

SB424,31,3 1. Declares the need for establishing the district.

SB424,31,4 2. Contains findings of public purpose.

SB424,31,5 3. Contains a detailed description of the boundaries of the proposed district.

SB424,31,7 4. Declares an intention to negotiate with a county the termination of any agreement entered into under s. 27.075 (1), (2), or (4).

SB424,31,9 (b) File copies of the enabling resolution with the clerk of each municipality and county that is wholly or partly within the boundaries of the proposed district.

SB424,31,14 (2) Subject to sub. (5), a district shall consist of at least 2 municipalities. Each sponsoring municipality shall be identified in a substantially similar enabling resolution that is adopted by the governing body of each sponsoring municipality within a 90-day period beginning with the date of adoption of the first enabling resolution.

SB424,31,16 (3) A district consisting of 2 or more municipalities may also be created, subject to subs. (4) and (5), by a petition and referendum if all of the following occur:

SB424,31,21 (a) A petition that conforms to the requirements of s. 8.40, which contains a detailed description and scale map of the proposed district, on the question of the creation of a district is circulated on or after December 1 and filed not later than 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday in January in each municipality that is within the boundaries of the proposed district.

SB424,31,24 (b) The petition is signed by a number of qualified electors residing in the municipality equal to at least 15% of the votes cast for governor in the municipality at the last gubernatorial election.

SB424,32,2 (c) The signed petition is filed with the clerk of each municipality in which the petition is circulated.

SB424,32,15 (4) If all of the steps in sub. (3) occur, each municipality in which petitions containing the requisite number of signatures are submitted to the clerk shall hold a referendum at the next succeeding spring election. Subject to sub. (5), if the question submitted at the referendum is approved by a majority of the electors who vote in the referendum at the spring election in at least 2 municipalities, a special purpose district that is a unit of government, that is a body corporate and politic, that is separate and distinct from, and independent of, the state and each municipality, and that has the powers under s. 229.863 is created, the boundaries of which include each municipality in which the question is approved. The referendum question shall be substantially as follows: "Shall a local park and recreation district, the territory of which includes in whole the .... [name of municipality], be created?" If a referendum question is not approved in at least 2 municipalities, no district may be created.

SB424,32,22 (5) (a) Before a district may be created, the governing bodies of each municipality that has adopted a resolution under sub. (1) or in which a referendum question has been approved under sub. (4) shall adopt a resolution or enact an ordinance, not later than September 1 of the year in which the resolution under sub. (1) or the referendum question is approved, that, subject to pars. (b) and (c), contains an agreement among each of the governing bodies which addresses at least all of the following provisions:

SB424,33,2 1. A mechanism that provides, from each of the municipalities, a loan of start-up funds for the initial operating costs of the district. The loaned start-up funds shall be sufficient to sustain the district until it receives the first amount of proceeds from a tax that is imposed under s. 229.863 (8).

SB424,33,5 2. A method of appointing temporary members to the board of directors under sub. (6) (am) to serve until the initial members are elected at the spring election and qualified to take office.

SB424,33,9 3. An apportionment plan for the election of the board of directors of the district board under sub. (6) (b), unless the governing bodies of all of the municipalities of which the district is initially comprised provide for the election of members of the board of directors without an apportionment plan.

SB424,33,11 4. A method to transfer title of the municipal park facilities within their individual jurisdictions to the district.

SB424,33,15 5. The maximum property tax levy rate that the district may impose under s. 229.863 (8) (a). The maximum property tax levy rate may be no less than 0.7 mills nor more than 1.4 mills for each dollar of the district's equalized valuation, as determined under s. 70.57.

SB424,33,23 (b) 1. Before the municipalities may consider a resolution or ordinance that is described in par. (a), all of the municipalities shall enter into an agreement on the selection of an arbitrator who will decide any of the issues under par. (a) that are not resolved by the municipalities by September 1 of the year described under par. (a), except as provided in subd. 2. If the municipalities are unable to reach agreement on any of the items listed in par. (a), the arbitrator shall enter a binding decision, which resolves all such outstanding items, not later than November 1 of the year described under par. (a).

SB424,34,2 2. If the municipalities are unable to reach an agreement concerning whether the members of the board of directors shall be elected with or without an apportionment plan under sub. (6) (b), the board of directors shall be elected pursuant to an apportionment plan.

SB424,34,9 (c) Before the municipalities may consider a resolution or ordinance that is described under par. (a), each municipality that is subject to an agreement or contract with a county under s. 27.075 (1), (2), or (4) shall negotiate with the county the termination of any such agreements or contracts. If a municipality is unable to negotiate the termination of any agreements or contracts under s. 27.075, the municipality may not become part of a district until the agreements or contracts expire or are otherwise terminated.

SB424,34,13 (6) (a) 1. The district is governed by its board of directors. The board of directors may adopt bylaws to govern the district's activities, subject to this subchapter. Except as provided in s. 229.862, the board of directors shall consist of 9 members who are elected at-large.

SB424,34,24 2. The board of directors shall be elected at the spring election pursuant to an apportionment plan under par. (b) unless the governing bodies of each of the municipalities of which the district is comprised by resolution determine, no later than November 1 preceding any spring election, that the members of the board of directors shall be elected at that election and thereafter without an apportionment plan. If the governing bodies of each municipality of which the district is comprised determine to elect members of the board of directors without an apportionment plan, the governing bodies may, no later than November 1 preceding a spring election, by resolution determine to elect members of the board of directors at that election and thereafter pursuant to an apportionment plan, if an identical plan is adopted by each of those governing bodies by that date.

SB424,35,5 3. The first election of members of the board of directors shall occur in April of the year following the year described in sub. (5) (a). Temporary members shall be appointed according to the agreement reached under sub. (5) (a) 2. or imposed by an arbitrator under sub. (5) (b) to serve until the initial members are elected at the spring election and qualified to take office.

SB424,35,20 (b) 1. Each apportionment plan shall divide the entire district into apportioned geographic areas for the election of members of the board of directors. The boundaries of the apportioned areas shall remain unchanged unless the governing bodies of each of the municipalities of which the district is comprised agree, by resolution adopted no later than November 1 preceding a spring election, to prescribe revised boundaries for the election of members of the board of directors at that election and thereafter, and except that, if a municipality becomes a part of the district after its creation, the governing bodies of the municipalities of which the district is comprised shall, by resolution, prescribe identical revised boundaries of the apportioned areas no later than September 1 preceding the first spring election at which members of the board of directors are to be elected from the new district. If the governing bodies are unable to reach an agreement concerning an identical apportionment plan by September 1 preceding that spring election, an arbitrator appointed pursuant to sub. (5) (b) 1. shall resolve the dispute no later than November 1 preceding that election.

SB424,35,24 2. If the members of the board of directors are elected pursuant to an apportionment plan, each candidate for member of the board of directors shall state on the face of his or her declaration of candidacy and nomination papers the apportioned area for which the candidate seeks office.

SB424,36,8 (c) Each member of the board of directors shall be a resident of the district and, if an apportionment plan for the election of members of the board of directors is used, shall be a resident of the apportioned area for which he or she is elected at the time that the member takes the oath of office. If a member of the board of directors who is elected from an apportioned area ceases to be a resident of that area after the beginning of his or her term of office but continues to be a resident of the district, the member may continue to serve for the remainder of the term for which he or she was elected or appointed.

SB424,36,20 (d) The terms of the members of the board of directors shall be 3 years, beginning on the next succeeding first Monday in June, except that the terms of one-third of the initial persons elected or appointed to office shall expire on the first Monday in June that is one year following the next succeeding June; the terms of one-third of the initial persons elected or appointed to office shall expire on the first Monday in June that is 2 years following the next succeeding June; and the terms of one-third of the persons elected or appointed to office shall expire on the first Monday in June that is 3 years following the next succeeding June. Members of the board of directors may be removed from office before the expiration of their terms, for cause, as provided under s. 17.13 (3) and may be recalled as provided under s. 9.10. Vacancies in the office of member of the board of directors shall be filled as provided under s. 17.27 (1f).

SB424,36,25 (e) The board of directors shall elect from its membership a chairperson, a vice chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer. A majority of the current membership of the board of directors constitutes a quorum to do business. The district may take action based on the affirmative vote of a majority of those directors who are present at a meeting of the board of directors.

SB424,37,5 (f) 1. The board of directors shall appoint a person to serve as clerk of the district. The clerk shall administer the affairs of the district, under the direction of the board of directors. Within 7 days after the appointment of any person to fill a vacancy on the board of directors, the clerk shall notify the person of his or her appointment.

SB424,38,2 2. No later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday in January, the clerk shall certify to the county clerk of each county lying wholly or partially within the district the names of candidates who have filed valid nomination papers for member of the board of directors and who are eligible to have their names appear on the ballot under s. 8.30. If any municipality lying wholly or partially within the district prepares its own ballots under s. 7.15 (2) (c), the clerk shall similarly certify the names of candidates to the municipal clerk. In making these certifications, the clerk shall designate the form of each candidate's name to appear on the ballot in the manner prescribed under s. 7.08 (2) (a). If a primary is held for any seat on a board of directors, the clerk shall certify to the county clerk of each county lying wholly or partially within the district the names of candidates who have won nomination to the board of directors and who are eligible to have their names appear on the ballot under s. 8.30. If any municipality lying wholly or partially within the district prepares its own ballots under s. 7.15 (2) (c), the clerk shall similarly certify the names of candidates to the municipal clerk. The clerk shall notify the municipal clerk of each municipality lying wholly or partially within the district of any district election and furnish each municipal clerk with a copy of the notice of the district election. If paper ballots are utilized at a district election, the clerk shall provide each municipal clerk with an adequate supply of ballots for the election at least 22 days before the election. The clerk shall issue certificates of election to persons who are elected to the board of directors after each election in the manner provided under s. 7.53 (4).

SB424,38,4 (g) The members of the board of directors shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

SB424,38,7 (h) Upon the election under par. (a) and qualification of a majority of the members of a board of directors, the board of directors may exercise the powers and duties of a board of directors under this subchapter.

SB424,38,8 (i) At its first meeting, the board of directors shall name the district.

SB424,38,16 (7) (a) The territory of a municipality may be in only one district. If a city or village whose territory is in one district annexes territory that contains park facilities that are located in a different district, that district shall transfer ownership of the park facilities that are located in the annexed territory to the district whose territory includes the annexing city or village. The park district which receives the annexed territory shall negotiate a settlement agreement with the park district from which the territory was annexed to compensate that park district for the park facilities that are transferred, based on at least all of the following factors:

SB424,38,17 1. The current value of park facilities that are transferred.

SB424,38,19 2. The amount of money or any other contribution made by the park district for the park facilities that are transferred.

SB424,38,24 (b) If the park districts are unable to negotiate a settlement under par. (a) within 60 days after the effective date of the annexation that results in the transfer of territory, the districts shall agree on the selection of an arbitrator who shall decide the settlement amount, and send written notification of his or her decision to all parties, within 30 days after his or her appointment.

SB424,39,3 (c) A transfer of ownership under this subsection takes effect on the date on which a settlement is reached or the date on which an arbitrator sends written notification of his or her decision.

SB424,39,10 (8) (a) A municipality which is part of a district may withdraw from the district as provided in this subsection if the governing body of the municipality adopts a resolution declaring its intention to withdraw from the district and if the board of directors adopts a resolution approving the municipality's resolution. If a municipality withdraws from a district under this subsection, title to the park facilities that are located in the municipality shall be transferred from the district to the municipality.

SB424,39,18 (b) If a municipality adopts a resolution declaring its intention to withdraw from the district and if the board of directors rejects the municipality's resolution, the board of directors shall call a referendum in the municipality for the purpose of submitting the municipality's resolution to the electors of the municipality for approval or rejection on the question of whether the municipality should withdraw from the district. The referendum shall be held at the next regular election to be held not earlier than 42 days after the municipality's resolution is rejected by the board of directors.

SB424,40,3 (c) If a municipality adopts a resolution declaring its intention to withdraw from the district and if the board of directors approves the resolution or, if the board rejects the resolution but the resolution is approved in the referendum described under par. (b), the district shall dissolve as provided in s. 229.865 if only one municipality remains a part of the district after a municipality withdraws under this subsection. If more than one municipality remains a part of the district after a municipality withdraws, the municipality that withdraws and the board of directors shall negotiate a settlement agreement to compensate that park district for the park facilities that are located in the municipality, based on at least all of the following factors:

SB424,40,4 1. The current value of park facilities that are transferred.

SB424,40,6 2. The amount of money or any other contribution made by the park district for the park facilities that are transferred.

SB424,40,8 3. The amount of money or any other contribution made by the municipality for the park facilities that are transferred.

SB424,40,15 (d) If the municipality and the park district are unable to negotiate a settlement under par. (c) within 60 days after the board of directors approves the resolution under par. (a) or within 60 days after the resolution is approved in the referendum described under par. (b), the municipality and the district shall agree on the selection of an arbitrator who shall decide the settlement amount, and send written notification of his or her decision to all parties, within 30 days after his or her appointment.

SB424,40,18 (e) A withdrawal under this subsection takes effect on the date on which a settlement is reached or the date on which an arbitrator sends written notification of his or her decision.

SB424,41,9 229.862 Jurisdiction and expansion. The initial jurisdiction of a district shall consist of the territory of all of the sponsoring municipalities that have acted under s. 229.861 (1) and (2) and all of the participating municipalities that have acted under s. 229.861 (3) in same year, or within 90 days after the adoption of the first enabling legislation that is described in s. 229.861 (1). The jurisdiction of the district may be expanded to include any other municipality under procedures adopted by the board of directors and consistent with an agreement entered into between the board of directors and the municipality. Under the terms of the agreement, the assets of the municipality to be included in the expanded jurisdiction shall be treated in a substantially similar manner as the assets of all other municipalities in the district. A district's jurisdiction may not be expanded unless the governing body of the municipality to be included in the expanded jurisdiction of the district approves the inclusion of the municipality in the district. Eligible electors of a municipality included in the expanded jurisdiction of a district may vote for members of the board of directors at the first election occurring after the effective date of the expansion at which members of the board of directors are elected.

SB424,41,12 229.863 Powers of district. A district has all of the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes and provisions of this subchapter. In addition to all other powers granted by this subchapter, a district may do all of the following:

SB424,41,13 (1) Adopt and alter an official seal.

SB424,41,14 (2) Sue and be sued in its own name, and plead and be impleaded.

SB424,41,15 (3) Maintain an office.

SB424,41,17 (4) In connection with park facilities, consistent with a municipality's comprehensive plan under s. 66.1001 (1) (a):

SB424,41,19 (a) Acquire, develop, equip, maintain, improve, operate, and manage the park facilities.

SB424,41,21 (b) Enter into contracts, subject to such standards as may be established by the board of directors.

SB424,41,22 (c) Grant concessions.

SB424,41,23 (d) Operate recreational facilities or programs.

SB424,42,2 (5) Employ personnel, and fix and regulate their compensation; and provide, either directly or subject to an agreement under s. 66.0301 as a participant in a benefit plan of another municipality, any employee benefits, including an employee pension plan.

SB424,42,5 (6) Purchase insurance, establish and administer a plan of self-insurance, or, subject to an agreement with another political subdivision under s. 66.0301, participate in a governmental plan of insurance or self-insurance.

SB424,42,8 (7) Set standards governing the use of, and the conduct within, its park facilities and recreational facilities in order to promote public safety and convenience and to maintain order.

SB424,42,16 (8) (a) To carry out its functions, levy a tax on the taxable property in the district, as equalized by the department of revenue under s. 70.57. Except as provided in par. (b), the board of directors shall establish the tax levy rate, subject to the limitation under s. 229.861 (5) (a) 5. The tax levy shall be applied to the respective real property and personal property tax rolls of the city, village, and town included in the district and shall not be included within any limitation on county or municipality taxes. Collected taxes levied under this paragraph shall be paid to the district treasurer.

SB424,43,9 (b) In any year, the board of directors may adopt a resolution to establish a tax levy rate that exceeds the tax levy rate limitation under s. 229.861 (5) (a) 5., except that such a tax levy rate may not take effect until the resolution is approved by a majority of the electors in the district's jurisdiction voting on the resolution at a referendum, to be held at the first spring primary, spring election, September primary, general election, or special election held throughout the district that is held at least 45 days after the date of adoption of the resolution. The question shall be submitted as follows: "The tax levy rate for the tax imposed in .... [name of the district] for purposes related to park facilities for the year .... [year] is $ .... per $1,000 of equalized value. The maximum tax levy rate that .... [name of the district] may impose in any year is $ .... per $1,000 of equalized value. Shall the .... [name of the district] be allowed to exceed this maximum rate limit for .... [a specified number of years] [an indefinite period] by $ .... per $1,000 of equalized value, resulting in a tax levy rate of $ .... per $1,000 of equalized value?" The clerk of the district shall publish the notices required under s. 10.06 (4) (c), (f), and (i) for any referendum held under this paragraph. Notwithstanding s. 10.06 (4) (c), the type A notice under s. 10.01 (2) (a) relating to the referendum is valid even if given and published late as long as it is given and published prior to the election as early as practicable.

SB424,43,11 (9) Accept gifts and other aid, which may be used only for the following purposes:

SB424,43,12 (a) Maintaining the park facilities.

SB424,43,13 (b) Operating the park facilities.

SB424,43,14 (c) Making capital improvements to the park facilities.

SB424,43,16 (10) Administer the receipt of revenues, and oversee the payment of bills or other debts incurred by the district.

SB424,43,18 (11) With regard to the elected members of the board of directors, change any decision imposed by an arbitrator under s. 229.861 (5) (b).

SB424,43,19 (12) Adopt a resolution to impose impact fees under s. 66.0617.

SB424,43,20 (13) Issue debt under ch. 67 only for capital improvements to park facilities.

SB424,43,24 229.864 Powers and duties of, and limitations on, municipalities. (1) The number of members of the board of directors specified in s. 229.861 (6) (a) may be changed only by an agreement that is approved unanimously by the governing bodies of each municipality that makes up the jurisdiction of the district.

SB424,44,5 (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the governing bodies of each municipality that makes up the jurisdiction of the district may not create a park or expend any funds to support municipal park facilities, impose an impact fee under s. 66.0617 for municipal park facilities, or impose fees in lieu of land dedications under ch. 236 after the imposition of the taxes described under s. 229.863 (8).

SB424,44,7 (3) In addition to any powers that it may otherwise have, a municipality located wholly or partly within a district's jurisdiction may do any of the following:

SB424,44,9 (a) Make loans to a district upon terms that the municipality considers appropriate.

SB424,44,11 (b) Lease or transfer property to a district upon terms that the municipality considers appropriate.

SB424,44,17 229.865 Dissolution of district. Subject to providing for the payment of its debts, and the performance of its other contractual obligations, a district may be dissolved by the action of the board of directors. If the district is dissolved, the board of directors shall certify to the department of revenue that the district is dissolved, and the property of the district shall be transferred to the municipalities in the jurisdiction by the board of directors, based on at least all of the following factors:

SB424,44,19 (1) The current value of park facilities transferred by a municipality to a district.

SB424,44,21 (2) The amount of money contributed to the district during its existence by a municipality under s. 229.864 (2).

SB424,44,23 (3) The amount of any other contribution made by a municipality to a district, including any contribution that is made under s. 229.864 (3).

SB424,44,24 (End)