59.08
59.08
Consolidation of counties; procedure; referendum. 59.08(1)(1) Any 2 or more adjoining counties may consolidate into a single county by complying with the requirements and procedure herein specified.
59.08(2)
(2) The boards of any 2 or more adjoining counties desiring to consolidate their respective counties into a single county may enter into a joint agreement for the consolidation of the counties, setting forth in the consolidation agreement all of the following:
59.08(2)(a)
(a) The names of the several counties which they propose to be consolidated.
59.08(2)(b)
(b) The name under which it is proposed to consolidate the counties, which name shall be such as to distinguish it from the name of any other county in Wisconsin, other than the consolidating counties.
59.08(2)(c)
(c) The property, real and personal, belonging to each county, and the current fair market value thereof.
59.08(2)(d)
(d) The indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, of each county.
59.08(2)(e)
(e) The proposed name and location of the county seat of the consolidated county.
59.08(2)(f)
(f) If the counties have different forms of county organization and government, the proposed form of county organization and government of the consolidated county.
59.08(3)
(3) The board of each county may appoint an advisory committee composed of 3 persons to assist the board in the preparation of the agreement.
59.08(4)
(4) The original of the consolidation agreement, together with a petition on behalf of the several boards, signed by the chairperson of each of the boards, asking that a referendum on the question of consolidation of the several counties be ordered, shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court of one of the counties and a copy of the consolidation agreement and of the petition shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court of each of the other counties.
59.08(5)
(5) The qualified electors of each county involved in the consolidation proposal whose board has not taken the initiative under
sub. (2) may, by filing with the board a petition conforming to the requirements of
s. 8.40, signed by not less than 20% of the qualified electors of the county, based on the total vote cast for governor at the last general election, asking the board to effect a consolidation agreement with the county or counties named in the petition, and asking for a referendum on the question, require the board to so proceed. A copy of the petition of the electors shall also be filed with the clerk of the circuit court of the county. If the board is able within 6 months thereafter to effect the consolidation agreement, the procedure shall be the same as set forth in this section. If the board within that period of time is unable or for any reason fails to perfect the consolidation agreement, then the judge of the circuit court of the county shall appoint a committee of 5 representative citizens of the county, to act for and in lieu of the board in perfecting the consolidation agreement and in petitioning for a referendum.
59.08(6)
(6) The board shall publish the consolidation agreement as a class 1 notice under
ch. 985. The owner-editor or manager of each newspaper publishing the notice shall issue a certificate of the publication to the judge of the circuit court for each affected county, which shall be proof of publication.
59.08(7)(a)(a) When publication of the consolidation agreement in each of the counties included in the agreement is completed, the judges of the circuit courts of those counties shall, by order entered of record in each of the counties, require the clerks of each of the counties to submit the question of the consolidation of the counties to a vote of the qualified electors of the counties.
59.08(7)(b)
(b) The question of the consolidation of the counties shall be submitted to the voters at the next election to be held on the first Tuesday in April, or the next regular election, or at a special election to be held on the day fixed in the order issued under
par. (a), which day shall be the same in each of the counties proposing to consolidate. A copy of the order shall be filed with the clerk of each of the counties. If the question of consolidation is submitted at a special election, it shall be held not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days from the completion of the consolidation agreement, but not within 60 days of any spring or general election.
59.08(8)
(8) The clerk shall notice such election as other elections. The ballots shall be provided by the clerk and shall be in substantially the following form:
OFFICIAL REFERENDUM BALLOT
If you desire to vote for the consolidation of .... (insert names of counties proposing to consolidate) counties under a consolidation agreement, make a cross (7) in the square after the word "Yes", underneath the question; if you desire to vote against consolidation, make a cross (7) in the square after the word "No", underneath the question.
Shall .... (here insert names of counties proposing to consolidate) counties consolidate under a consolidation agreement?
YES ⍽ NO ⍽
59.08(9)
(9) The ballot shall have on the back or reverse side the endorsements provided by law for ballots for general elections and shall be marked, punched or labeled by the elector and counted and canvassed as other ballots cast on questions in the county are counted and canvassed. The election shall be conducted by the same officers and in the same manner as are other elections in the county. The results of the election shall be certified to the judges of the circuit courts for the counties.
59.08(10)
(10) If a majority of the votes cast in each county upon the question of consolidation are in favor of the consolidation of the counties, the judge of the circuit court shall enter that fact of record in each county. If in any one of the counties less than a majority of the votes cast upon the question of consolidation are in favor of the proposed consolidation, the consolidation shall be declared to have failed for all purposes. If a majority of the votes cast upon the question of consolidation in any county are opposed to consolidation, the question of consolidation shall not be again submitted to the electors of that county for a period of 2 years.
59.08(11)
(11) At the next succeeding regular November election, held at least 60 days after the election at which consolidation is approved by the voters, there shall be elected for the consolidated county all county officers provided for by law and the officers shall be nominated as provided in
ch. 6. Their terms shall begin on the first Monday of January next succeeding their election, at which time they shall replace all elective county officers of the counties that are consolidated into the consolidated county whose terms shall on that day terminate. All appointive county officers shall be appointed by the person, board or authority upon whom the power to appoint such officers in other counties is conferred. The terms of the officers shall commence on the first Monday of January next succeeding the first election of officers for the consolidated county, and shall continue, unless otherwise removed, until their successors have been appointed and qualified. The successors of all officers whose first election or appointment is provided for in this subsection shall thereafter be elected or appointed at the time, in the manner and for the terms provided by law.
59.08(13)
(13) Upon the first Monday of January following the first election of county officers for the consolidated county, the several counties shall thereafter for all purposes be treated and considered as one county, under the name and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the consolidation agreement. All rights, privileges, and franchises of each of the several counties, and all records, books, and documents, and all property, real and personal, and all debts due on whatever account, as well as other things in action, belonging to each of the counties, shall be considered transferred to and vested in the consolidated county, without further act or deed. All property, all rights-of-way, and all and every other interest shall be as effectually the property of the consolidated county as they were of the several counties before the consolidation. The title to real estate, either by deed or otherwise, under the laws of this state vested in any of the counties, shall not be considered to revert or be in any way impaired by reason of this consolidation. The rights of creditors and all liens upon the property of any of the counties shall be preserved unimpaired, and the respective counties shall be considered to continue in existence to preserve the same and all debts, liabilities and duties of any of the counties shall attach to the consolidated county and be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it, unless by the terms of the agreement the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the counties shall not be transferred and attached to the consolidated county, but shall remain as obligations of the counties which for such purpose shall be considered to continue in existence.
59.08(14)
(14) Suits may be brought and maintained against the consolidated county in any of the courts of this state in the same manner as against any other county. Any action or proceeding pending by or against any of the counties consolidated may be prosecuted to judgment as if the consolidation had not taken place, or the consolidated county may be substituted in its place. The towns, school districts, election districts and voting places in the consolidated county shall continue as in the several counties before consolidation, unless and until changed in accordance with law.
59.08(15)
(15) Until changed by law, the same circuit courts shall continue, though it may result in the consolidated county being a part of 2 or more circuits. All such courts shall, however, be held at the place designated as the county seat of the consolidated county, and each such court and the judge of that court shall continue to have and exercise the same jurisdiction as the court or the judge had and exercised before the consolidation. If 2 or more judges have jurisdiction in any consolidated county they or a majority of them shall exercise the power to appoint officers and fill vacancies as is vested in judges of circuit courts of other counties.
59.08(16)
(16) For the purpose of representation in congress and in the legislature the existing congressional, senatorial and assembly districts shall continue until changed in accordance with law. The consolidated county shall in all respects, except as otherwise provided in this section, be subject to all the obligations and liabilities imposed, and shall possess all the rights, powers and privileges vested by law in other counties.
59.08(17)
(17) The provisions of this section shall be considered cumulative and the authority granted in this section to counties shall not be limited or made inoperative by any existing statute.
COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
59.10
59.10
Boards: composition; election; terms; compensation; compatibility. The boards of the several counties shall be composed of representatives from within the county who are elected and compensated as provided in this section. Each board shall act under
sub. (2),
(3) or
(5), unless the board enacts an ordinance, by a majority vote of the entire membership, to act under
sub. (1). If a board enacts such ordinance, a certified copy shall be filed with the secretary of state.
59.10(1)(a)(a) Number of supervisors and apportionment of supervisory districts. In each county with a population of at least 500,000,
sub. (2) (a) and
(b) applies. In counties with a population of less than 500,000 and more than one town,
sub. (3) (a) to
(c) applies. In counties with one town only,
sub. (5) applies.
59.10(1)(b)
(b)
Terms. The term of office of supervisors is 2 years. A board may determine whether the terms shall be concurrent or staggered. Supervisors shall be elected at the election to be held on the first Tuesday in April next preceding the expiration of their respective terms and shall take office on the 3rd Tuesday in April following their election. If the board determines that supervisors shall serve staggered terms, the board shall, by ordinance, provide for a division of supervisors into 2 classes, one class to be elected for one-half of a full term and the other class for a full term and thereafter the supervisors shall be elected for a full term. The board shall publish the ordinance as a class 1 notice, under
ch. 985, before publication of the notice of the election at which supervisors are to be elected.
59.10(1)(c)
(c)
Compensation. The method of compensation for supervisors shall be determined by the board.
59.10(1)(d)
(d)
Vacancies. A board may determine the procedure for filling a vacancy.
59.10(2)
(2) Milwaukee county. In each county with a population of at least 500,000:
59.10(2)(a)
(a)
Composition; supervisory districts. Within 60 days after the population count by block, established in the decennial federal census of population, and maps showing the location and numbering of census blocks become available in printed form from the federal government or are published for distribution by an agency of this state, but no later than July 1 following the year of each decennial census, the board shall adopt and transmit to the governing body of each city and village wholly or partially contained within the county a tentative county supervisory district plan to be considered by the cities and villages when dividing into wards. The plan shall specify the number of supervisors to be elected and shall divide the county into a number of districts equal to the number of supervisors, with each district substantially equal in population and consisting of contiguous whole wards. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the board shall develop and adopt the tentative plan in accordance with
sub. (3) (b) 1. The board shall adopt a final plan by enacting an ordinance in accordance with
sub. (3) (b) 2. to
4.
59.10(2)(b)
(b)
Election; term. Supervisors shall be elected for 4-year terms at the election to be held on the first Tuesday in April next preceding the expiration of their respective terms, and shall take office on the 3rd Monday in April following their election.
59.10(2)(c)
(c)
Compensation. Each supervisor shall be paid by the county an annual salary set by the board. The board may provide additional compensation for the chairperson.
Section 66.196 applies to this paragraph.
59.10(3)(a)(a)
Classification; maximum number of supervisors. Counties with a population of less than 500,000 and more than one town are classified and entitled to a maximum number of supervisors as follows:
59.10(3)(a)1.
1. Counties with a population of less than 500,000 but at least 100,000 shall have no more than 47 supervisors.
59.10(3)(a)2.
2. Counties with a population of less than 100,000 but at least 50,000 shall have no more than 39 supervisors.
59.10(3)(a)3.
3. Counties with a population of less than 50,000 but at least 25,000 shall have no more than 31 supervisors.
59.10(3)(a)4.
4. Counties with a population of less than 25,000 and containing more than one town shall have no more than 21 supervisors.
59.10(3)(a)5.
5. If the population of any county is within 2% of the minimum population for the next most populous grouping under this paragraph, the board thereof, in establishing supervisory districts, may employ the maximum number for such districts set for such next most populous grouping.
59.10(3)(b)1.1. Within 60 days after the population count by block, established in the decennial federal census of population, and maps showing the location and numbering of census blocks become available in printed form from the federal government or are published for distribution by an agency of this state, but no later than July 1 following the year of each decennial census, each board shall propose a tentative county supervisory district plan setting forth the number of supervisory districts and tentative boundaries or a description of boundary requirements, hold a public hearing on the proposed plan and adopt a tentative plan. The proposed plan may be amended after the public hearing. The board shall solicit suggestions from municipalities concerning the development of an appropriate plan. The board shall transmit to each municipal governing body in the county the tentative plan that is adopted. Each district shall consist of whole wards or municipalities. Each district shall be designated to be represented by one supervisor, and all districts shall be substantially equal in population. In the tentative plan, the board shall, whenever possible, place whole contiguous municipalities or contiguous parts of the same municipality within the same district. If the division of a municipality is sought by the board, the board shall provide with the plan a written statement to the municipality affected by each proposed division specifying the approximate location of the territory from which a ward is sought to be created for contiguity purposes and the approximate population of the ward proposed to effectuate the division.
59.10(3)(b)2.
2. Within 60 days after every municipality in the county adjusts its wards under
s. 5.15, the board shall hold a public hearing and shall then adopt a final supervisory district plan, numbering each district. Wards within each supervisory district created by the plan shall be contiguous, except that one or more wards located within a city or village which is wholly surrounded by another city or water, or both, may be combined with one or more noncontiguous wards, or one or more wards or portions of wards consisting of island territory as defined in
s. 5.15 (2) (f) 3. may be combined with one or more noncontiguous wards or portions of wards within the same municipality, to form a supervisory district.
59.10(3)(b)3.
3. In this paragraph, a district which includes territory connected to other territory from corner to corner is contiguous.
59.10(3)(b)4.
4. The chairperson of the board shall file a certified copy of the final districting plan with the secretary of state.
59.10(3)(c)
(c)
Changes during decade. After the enactment of a plan of supervisory districts under
par. (b), a municipal incorporation, annexation, detachment or consolidation may serve as a basis for altering between federal decennial censuses the boundaries of supervisory districts, in the discretion of the board. The number of supervisory districts in the county shall not be changed by any action under this paragraph. Any plan of county supervisory districts enacted under
par. (b) may be amended under this paragraph but shall remain in effect as amended until superseded by another plan enacted by the board under
par. (b) and filed with the secretary of state.
59.10(3)(d)
(d)
Election and term of supervisors. Supervisors are county officers, shall be elected for 2-year terms at the election to be held on the first Tuesday in April in even-numbered years and shall take office on the 3rd Tuesday in April of that year.
59.10(3)(e)
(e)
Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs on the board, the board chairperson with the approval of the board shall appoint a person who is a qualified elector and resident of the supervisory district to fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term to which the person is appointed and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
59.10(3)(f)
(f)
Compensation. Each supervisor shall be paid a per diem by the county for each day that he or she attends a meeting of the board. Any board may, at its annual meeting, by a two-thirds vote of all the members, fix the compensation of the board members to be next elected. Any board may also provide additional compensation for the chairperson.
59.10(3)(g)
(g)
Mileage. Each supervisor shall, for each day that he or she attends a meeting of the board, receive mileage for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the meetings by the most usual traveled route at the rate established by the board under
s. 59.22 as the standard mileage allowance for all county employes and officers.
59.10(3)(h)
(h)
Limitation on compensation. Except for services as a member of a committee as provided in
s. 59.13 no supervisor shall be paid for more days' attendance on the board in any year than is set out in this schedule: in counties having a population of less than 25,000, 20 days; at least 25,000 but less than 100,000, 25 days; at least 100,000 but less than 500,000, 30 days.
59.10(3)(i)
(i)
Alternative compensation. As an alternative method of compensation, in counties having a population of less than 500,000, including counties containing only one town, the board may at its annual meeting, by a two-thirds vote of the members entitled to a seat, fix the compensation of the supervisors to be next elected at an annual salary for all services for the county including all committee services, except the per diem allowance for services in acquiring highway rights-of-way set forth in
s. 84.09 (4). The board may, in like manner, allow additional salary for the members of the highway committee and for the chairperson of the board. In addition to the salary, the supervisors shall receive mileage as provided in
par. (g) for each day's attendance at board meetings or for attendance at not to exceed 2 committee meetings in any one day.
59.10(3)(j)
(j)
Supplementary compensation. The board, in establishing an annual salary, may enact an ordinance providing for a per diem for all committee meetings attended in excess of 40 committee and board meetings.
59.10(4)
(4) Compatibility. No county officer or employe is eligible for election or appointment to the office of supervisor, but a supervisor may also be a member of a committee, board or commission appointed by the county executive or county administrator or appointed or created by the county board, a town board, a mosquito control district, the common council of his or her city, the board of trustees of his or her village or the board of trustees of a county institution appointed under
s. 46.18.
59.10(5)
(5) Counties having only one town. In all counties containing one town only, the board shall consist of the members of the town board and one supervisor from every incorporated village. A supervisor from an incorporated village shall be elected at the time the other village officers are elected. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum of the county board. Each supervisor shall receive compensation and mileage as provided in
sub. (3) (f) and
(g). The chairperson of the board elected under
s. 59.12 (1) may be, but need not be, the same person who is elected chairperson of the town board under
s. 60.21 (3) (a).
59.10(6)
(6) Enforcement of division requirement. If a county fails to comply with
sub. (2) (a) or
(3) (b), any municipality located in whole or in part within the county or any elector of the county may submit to the circuit court for the county within 14 days from the expiration of either 60-day period under
sub. (2) (a) or
(3) (b) a proposed tentative or final plan for creation of supervisory districts in compliance with this section. If the court finds that the existing division of the county into supervisory districts fails to comply with this section, it shall review the plan submitted by the petitioner and after reasonable notice to the county may promulgate the plan, or any other plan in compliance with this section, as a temporary supervisory district plan until superseded by a districting plan adopted by the board in compliance with this section.
59.10 History
History: 1971 c. 134,
211,
304;
1973 c. 118 ss.
2 to
4,
7;
1973 c. 334 s.
57;
1973 c. 336;
1975 c. 93 s.
113;
1975 c. 116,
200;
1977 c. 427;
1979 c. 34,
89,
122,
260;
1981 c. 4,
390;
1983 a. 29;
1983 a. 192 ss.
115,
303 (1), (2);
1983 a. 484;
1983 a. 532 s.
36;
1985 a. 29,
304;
1989 a. 56 s.
258;
1991 a. 5,
316;
1993 a. 490;
1995 a. 16 s.
2;
1995 a. 201 s.
100; Stats. 1995 s. 59.10;
1997 a. 35.
59.10 Annotation
Cross-references: See s. 17.21 (5) for provision as to filling vacancies on county boards in counties over 500,000.
59.10 Annotation
See s. 59.20 (1) for county supervisor residency requirement.
59.10 Annotation
See s. 66.196 for restriction on changes in compensation of county board members.
59.10 Annotation
City and county apportionment discussed. City of Janesville v. Rock County, 107 W (2d) 187, 319 NW (2d) 891 (Ct. App. 1982).
59.10 Annotation
The trial court properly voided a city's supervisory district plan and adopted the county's plan, even though the county did not the adopt plan within 60 days of receiving census data as required by sub. (3). County of La Crosse v. City of La Crosse, 108 W (2d) 560, 322 NW (2d) 531 (Ct. App. 1982).
59.10 Annotation
Sub. (3) (a) does not establish a separate minimum for each class of county. Constitutionality of sub. (3) (a) discussed. 60 Atty. Gen. 327.
59.10 Annotation
A vacancy on the county board due to resignation may be filled by appointment by the county board chairman when county board is not in session. 61 Atty. Gen. 1.
59.10 Annotation
An incumbent county supervisor must resign before the county board may consider his appointment as highway commissioner. 61 Atty. Gen. 424.
59.10 Annotation
A county board supervisor risks violations of s. 946.13 where he is appointed counsel for indigent defendants. 62 Atty. Gen. 62, 118.
59.10 Annotation
Under sub. (3) (c) alteration of county supervisory district boundaries between decennial censuses is authorized only where ward boundaries originally relied upon in reapportioning the county have been subsequently altered by incorporation, annexation, detachment or consolidation. 63 Atty. Gen. 544.
59.10 Annotation
Section 59.06 (2) (intro.) [now 59.13 (2) (intro.)] does not prohibit payment of additional mileage under s. 59.03 (3) (g) [now 59.10 (3) (g)]. 68 Atty. Gen. 73.
59.11
59.11
Meetings; adjournment; absentees. 59.11(1)(a)(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 establish by rule an earlier date during October or November for 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.
59.11(1)(b)
(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.
59.11(1)(c)
(c) The board, except in counties with a population of 500,000 or more, shall meet on the 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.
59.11(2)
(2) A special meeting of the board shall be held:
59.11(2)(a)
(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 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 board by ordinance may establish a separate procedure for convening the board in a "declared emergency" as defined by county ordinance.
59.11(2)(b)
(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 of the meeting, to each supervisor not less than 2 weeks before the day set for the meeting.
59.11(3)
(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.
59.11(4)
(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 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.
