66.068(4)
(4) It may be provided that departmental expenditures be audited by such commission, and if approved by the president and secretary of the commission, be paid by the city, village or town clerk and treasurer as provided by
s. 66.042; that the utility receipts be paid to a bonded cashier or cashiers appointed by the commission, to be turned over to the city, village or town treasurer at least once a month; and that the commission have such general powers in the construction, extension, improvement and operation of the utility as shall be designated. Where in any municipality water mains have been installed or extended and the cost thereof has been in some instances assessed against the abutting owners and in other instances paid by the municipality or any utility therein, it may be provided by the governing body of such municipality that all persons who paid any such assessment against any lot or parcel of land may be reimbursed the amount of such assessment regardless of when such assessment was made or paid. Such reimbursement may be made from such funds or earnings of said municipal utility or from such funds of the municipality as the governing body determines.
66.068(5)
(5) Actual construction work shall be under the immediate supervision of the board of public works or corresponding authority.
66.068(6)
(6) Two or more public utilities acquired as a single enterprise hereunder may be operated as a single enterprise.
66.068(7)
(7) In a 2nd, 3rd or 4th class city, a village or a town, the council or board may provide for the operation of a public utility or utilities by the board of public works or by another officer or officers, in lieu of the commission above provided for.
66.068 Annotation
Where a city council creates board under sub. (1), the council is prohibited by sub. (3) from fixing the wages of the utility employes. Schroeder v. City of Clintonville, 90 W (2d) 457, 280 NW (2d) 166 (1979).
66.069
66.069
Charges; outside services. 66.069(1)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (am), the governing body of any town, village or city operating a public utility may, by ordinance, fix the initial rates and shall provide for this collection monthly, bimonthly or quarterly in advance or otherwise. The rates shall be uniform for like service in all parts of the municipality and shall include the cost of fluorinating the water. The rates may also include standby charges to property not connected but for which such facilities have been made available. The charges shall be collected by the treasurer.
66.069(1)(am)
(am) If, on June 21, 1996, it is the practice of a governing body of a town, village or city operating a public utility to collect utility service charges using a billing period other than one permitted under
par. (a), the governing body may continue to collect utility service charges using that billing period.
66.069(1)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
pars. (bg) and
(bn), on October 15 in each year notice shall be given to the owner or occupant of all lots or parcels of real estate to which utility service has been furnished prior to October 1 by a public utility operated by any town, city or village and payment for which is owing and in arrears at the time of giving such notice. The department in charge of the utility shall furnish the treasurer with a list of all such lots or parcels of real estate, and the notice shall be given by the treasurer, unless the governing body of the city, village or town shall authorize such notice to be given directly by the department. Such notice shall be in writing and shall state the amount of such arrears, including any penalty assessed pursuant to the rules of such utility; that unless the same is paid by November 1 thereafter a penalty of 10% of the amount of such arrears will be added thereto; and that unless such arrears, with any such added penalty, shall be paid by November 15 thereafter, the same will be levied as a tax against the lot or parcel of real estate to which utility service was furnished and for which payment is delinquent as above specified. Such notice may be served by delivery to either such owner or occupant personally, or by letter addressed to such owner or occupant at the post-office address of such lot or parcel of real estate. On November 16 the officer or department issuing the notice shall certify and file with the clerk a list of all lots or parcels of real estate, giving the legal description thereof, to the owners or occupants of which notice of arrears in payment were given as above specified and which arrears still remain unpaid, and stating the amount of such arrears together with the added penalty thereon as herein provided. Each such delinquent amount, including such penalty, shall thereupon become a lien upon the lot or parcel of real estate to which the utility service was furnished and payment for which is delinquent, and the clerk shall insert the same as a tax against such lot or parcel of real estate. All proceedings in relation to the collection of general property taxes and to the return and sale of property for delinquent taxes shall apply to said tax if the same is not paid within the time required by law for payment of taxes upon real estate. Under this paragraph, if an arrearage is for utility service furnished and metered by the utility directly to a mobile home unit in a licensed mobile home park, the notice shall be given to the owner of the mobile home unit and the delinquent amount shall become a lien on the mobile home unit rather than a lien on the parcel of real estate on which the mobile home unit is located. A lien on a mobile home unit may be enforced using the procedures under
s. 779.48 (2). This paragraph does not apply to arrearages collected using the procedure under
s. 66.60 (16).
66.069(1)(bg)
(bg) A municipal utility may use the procedures under
par. (b) to collect arrearages for electric service only if one of the following applies:
66.069(1)(bg)1.
1. The municipality has enacted an ordinance that authorizes the use of the procedures under
par. (b) for the collection of arrearages for electric service provided by the municipal utility.
66.069(1)(bg)2.
2. In 1996, the municipality collected arrearages for electric service provided by the municipal utility using the procedures under s.
66.60 (16), 1993 stats.
66.069(1)(bn)1.1. This paragraph applies only if all of the following conditions are met:
66.069(1)(bn)1.a.
a. Water or electric utility service is provided to a rental dwelling unit.
66.069(1)(bn)1.am.
am. The water or electric utility service is provided by a town sanitary district created under
subch. IX of ch. 60 that has sewerage connections serving more than 700 service addresses, by a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district under
subch. IV of ch. 33 that has sewerage connections serving more than 700 service addresses or by a municipal public utility.
66.069(1)(bn)1.b.
b. The owner of the rental dwelling unit notifies the utility in writing of the name and address of the owner.
66.069(1)(bn)1.c.
c. The owner of the rental dwelling unit notifies the utility in writing of the name and address of the tenant who is responsible for payment of the utility charges.
66.069(1)(bn)1.d.
d. If requested by the utility, the owner of the rental dwelling unit provides the utility with a copy of the rental or lease agreement in which the tenant assumes responsibility for the payment of the utility charges.
66.069(1)(bn)2.
2. If this paragraph applies, a municipal public utility may use
par. (b) to collect arrearages incurred after the owner of a rental dwelling unit has provided the utility with written notice under
subd. 1. only if the municipality complies with at least one of the following:
66.069(1)(bn)2.a.
a. In order to comply with this
subd. 2. a., a municipal public utility shall send bills for water or electric service to a customer who is a tenant in the tenant's own name. Each time that a municipal public utility notifies a customer who is a tenant that charges for water or electric service provided by the utility to the customer are past due for more than one billing cycle, the utility shall also serve a copy of the notice on the owner of the rental dwelling unit in the manner provided in
s. 801.14 (2). If a customer who is a tenant vacates his or her rental dwelling unit, and the owner of the rental dwelling unit provides the municipal public utility, no later than 21 days after the date on which the tenant vacates the rental dwelling unit, with a written notice that contains a forwarding address for the tenant and the date that the tenant vacated the rental dwelling unit, the utility shall continue to send past-due notices to the customer at his or her forwarding address until the past-due charges are paid or until notice has been provided under
par. (b).
66.069(1)(bn)2.b.
b. In order to comply with this
subd. 2. b., if a customer who is a tenant has charges for water or electric service provided by the utility that are past due, the municipal public utility shall serve notice of the past-due charges on the owner of the rental dwelling unit within 14 days of the date on which the tenant's charges became past due. The municipal public utility shall serve notice in the manner provided in
s. 801.14 (2).
66.069(1)(bn)2m.
2m. A municipal public utility may demonstrate compliance with the notice requirements of
subd. 2. a. or
b. by providing evidence of having sent the notice by U.S. mail.
66.069(1)(bn)3.
3. If this paragraph applies and a municipal public utility is permitted to collect arrearages under
par. (b), the municipal public utility shall provide all notices under
par. (b) to the owner of the property.
66.069(1)(c)
(c) The income of a public utility owned by a municipality, shall first be used to make payments to meet operation, maintenance, depreciation, interest, and debt service fund requirements, local and school tax equivalents, additions and improvements, and other necessary disbursements or indebtedness. Beginning with taxes levied in 1995, payable in 1996, payments for local and school tax equivalents shall at least be equal to the payment made on the property for taxes levied in 1994, payable in 1995, unless a lower payment is authorized by the governing body of the municipality. Income in excess of these requirements may be used to purchase and hold interest bearing bonds, issued for the acquisition of the utility, or bonds issued by the United States or any municipal corporation of this state, or insurance upon the life of an officer or manager of such utility, or may be paid into the general fund.
66.069(1)(d)
(d) Any city, town or village may use funds derived from its water plant above such as are necessary to meet operation, maintenance, depreciation, interest and debt service funds, new construction or equipment or other indebtedness, for sewerage construction work other than such as is chargeable against abutting property; or they may turn such funds into the general fund to be used for general city purposes, or may place such funds in a special fund to be used for special municipal purposes.
66.069(1)(e)
(e) Any city, village or town owning a public utility shall be entitled to the same rate of return as permitted for privately owned utilities.
66.069(2)(a)(a) Any town, town sanitary district, village or city owning water, light or power plant or equipment may serve persons or places outside its corporate limits, including adjoining municipalities not owning or operating a similar utility, and may interconnect with another municipality, whether contiguous or not, and for such purposes may use equipment owned by such other municipality.
66.069(2)(b)
(b) So much of such plant or equipment, except water plant or equipment or interconnection property in any municipality so interconnected, as shall be situated in another municipality shall be taxable in such other municipality pursuant to
s. 76.28.
66.069(2)(c)1.1. Notwithstanding
s. 196.58 (5), each city, village or town may by ordinance fix the limits of such service in unincorporated areas. Such ordinance shall delineate the area within which service will be provided and the municipal utility shall have no obligation to serve beyond the area so delineated. Such area may be enlarged by a subsequent ordinance. No such ordinance shall be effective to limit any obligation to serve which may have existed at the time the ordinance was adopted.
66.069(2)(c)2.
2. Notwithstanding
s. 196.58 (5), a municipality that operates a utility that provides water service may enter into an agreement with a city or village to provide water service to all or a part of that city or village. The agreement shall delineate the area within which service will be provided and the municipal water utility shall have no obligation to serve beyond the area so delineated. The agreement is not effective to limit any obligation to serve which may have existed at the time the agreement was entered into.
66.069(2)(d)
(d) An agreement by a city, village or town to furnish utility service outside its corporate limits to unincorporated property used for public, educational, industrial or eleemosynary purposes fixes the nature and geographical limits of that utility service unless altered by a change in the agreement, notwithstanding
s. 196.58 (5). A change in use or ownership of property included under that agreement does not alter terms and limitations of that agreement.
66.069(2)(dm)
(dm) An agreement under
par. (d) under which a city or village agrees to furnish sewerage service to a prison, which is located in an area which has been incorporated since that agreement was made, may be amended to provide that the city or village also furnish water service to the prison. An agreement amended under this paragraph fixes the nature and geographical limits of the water and sewer service unless altered by a change in the agreement, notwithstanding
s. 196.58 (5). A change in use or ownership of property included under an agreement amended under this paragraph does not alter the terms and limitations of that agreement.
66.069(2)(e)
(e) Any town, village or city owning a public utility, or the board of any municipal utility appointed under
s. 66.068, may enter into agreements with any other such towns, villages or cities, or any other such boards of municipal utilities, for mutual aid in the event of an emergency or disaster in any of their respective service areas. Such agreements may include, but are not limited to, provisions for the movement of employes and equipment in and between the service areas of the various participating municipalities for the purpose of rendering such aid and, for the reimbursement of a municipality rendering such aid by the municipality receiving the aid.
66.069 Annotation
State policy authorizes a city to refuse to provide sewage treatment unless a purchaser becomes annexed; antitrust law was not violated. Town of Hallie v. City of Eau Claire, 471 US 34 (1985).
66.07
66.07
Sale or lease. Any town, village or city may sell or lease any complete public utility plant owned by it, in manner following:
66.07(1)
(1) A preliminary agreement with the prospective purchaser or lessee shall be authorized by a resolution or ordinance containing a summary of the terms proposed, of the disposition to be made of the proceeds, and of the provisions to be made for the protection of holders of obligations against such plant or against the municipality on account thereof. Such resolution or ordinance shall be published at least one week before adoption, as a class 1 notice, under
ch. 985. It may be adopted only at a regular meeting and by a majority of all the members of the governing body.
66.07(2)
(2) The preliminary agreement shall fix the price of sale or lease, and provide that if the amount fixed by the department of transportation or public service commission shall be larger, the price shall be that fixed by the department or commission.
66.07(3)
(3) The municipality shall submit the preliminary agreement when executed to the department of transportation or public service commission, which shall determine whether the interests of the municipality and of the residents thereof will be best served by the sale or lease, and if it so determines, shall fix the price and other terms.
66.07(4)
(4) The proposal shall then be submitted to the electors of the municipality. The notice of the referendum shall include a description of the plant, and a summary of the preliminary agreement, and of the price and terms as fixed by the department of transportation or public service commission. If a majority voting on the question shall vote for the sale or lease, the board or council shall be authorized to consummate the same, upon the terms and at a price not less than fixed by the department of transportation or public service commission, with the proposed purchaser or lessee or any other with whom better terms approved by the department of transportation or public service commission can be made.
66.07(5)
(5) Unless the sale or lease is consummated within one year of the referendum, or the time is extended by the department of transportation or public service commission, the proceedings shall be void.
66.07(6)
(6) If the municipality has revenue or mortgage bonds outstanding relating to such utility plant and which by their terms may not be redeemed concurrently with the sale or lease transaction, an escrow fund with a domestic bank as trustee may be established for the purpose of holding, administering and distributing such portion of the sales or lease proceeds as may be necessary to cover the payment of the principal, any redemption premium and interest which will accrue on the principal through the earliest retirement date of the bonds. During the period of the escrow arrangement such funds may be invested in securities or other investments as described in
s. 201.25 (1) (a),
(b),
(dm) and
(j), 1969 stats., and in deposits or certificates of deposit with any state or national bank doing business in this state.
66.07(7)
(7) For the purpose of this section, the department of transportation has jurisdiction over transportation systems and the public service commission has jurisdiction over public utilities as defined in
s. 196.01.
66.071
66.071
First class city utilities. In cities of the first class:
66.071(1)(a)(a) Water rates shall be collected in the manner and by any one whom the council may from time to time determine, and shall be accounted for and paid to such other officials in such manner and at such times as the council may from time to time prescribe. Such persons shall give a bond to cover all the duties in such an amount as may be prescribed by the council. Final accounting shall be made to comptroller and final disposition of money shall be made to city treasurer.
66.071(1)(b)
(b) The words "commissioner of public works" in
sub. (1) shall be construed to mean and have reference to any board of public works, or commissioner of public works, or other officer of any city having control of the public works therein, and all acts authorized to be done by such commissioner except for the enforcement of regulations approved by the council shall require the approval of the council before they shall have any force or effect.
66.071(1)(c)
(c) When the city owns its water system, the commissioner of public works may make and enforce bylaws, rules and regulations in relation to the water system, and, before the actual introduction of water, the commissioner shall make bylaws, rules and regulations, fixing uniform water rates to be paid for the use of water furnished by the water system, and fixing the manner of distributing and supplying water for use or consumption, and for withholding or turning off water for cause. The commissioner may alter, modify or repeal the bylaws, rules and regulations.
66.071(1)(d)
(d) Water rates shall be due and payable upon such date or dates as the common council may provide by regulation. To all water rates remaining unpaid 20 days thereafter, there shall be added a penalty of 5 per cent of the amount of such rates, and if such rates shall remain unpaid for 10 days thereafter, water may be turned off the premises, subject to the payment of such delinquent rates, and in such cases where the supply of water is turned off as above provided, water shall not be again turned on to said premises until all delinquent rates and penalties, and a sum not exceeding $2 as provided for by regulation for turning the water off and on, shall have been paid. The same penalty and charge may be made when payment is made to a collector sent to the premises. On or before each day when such rates become due and payable as aforesaid, a written or printed notice or bill shall be mailed or personally delivered to the occupant or, upon written request, to the owner wherever the owner shall state, of all premises subject to the payment of water rates, stating the amount due, the time when and the place where such rates can be paid, the penalty for neglect of payment.
66.071(1)(e)
(e) All water rates for water furnished to any building or premises, and the cost of repairing meters, service pipes, stops or stop boxes, shall be a lien on the lot, part of lot or parcel of land on which such building or premises shall be situated. If any water rates or bills for the repairing of meters, service pipes, stops or stop boxes remain unpaid on the first day of October, in any year, the same shall be certified to the city comptroller of such city on or before the first day of November next following, and shall be placed by the comptroller upon the tax roll and collected in the same manner as other taxes on real estate are collected in said city. The charge for water supplied by the city in all premises where meters are attached and connected, shall be at rates fixed by the commissioner of public works and for the quantity indicated by the meter. If in any case, the commissioner of public works shall determine that the quantity indicated by the meter is materially incorrect or if a meter has been off temporarily on account of repairs, the commissioner of public works shall determine in the best manner in the commissioner's power the quantity used, and such determination shall be conclusive. No water rate or rates duly assessed against any property shall be thereafter remitted or changed except by the council of such city. Under this paragraph, if an unpaid charge or bill is for utility service furnished and metered by the waterworks directly to a mobile home unit in a licensed mobile home park, the delinquent amount shall become a lien on the mobile home unit rather than a lien on the parcel of real estate on which the mobile home unit is located. A lien on a mobile home unit may be enforced using the procedures under
s. 779.48 (2).
66.071(1)(en)1.1. This paragraph applies only if all of the following conditions are met:
66.071(1)(en)1.a.
a. The waterworks provides water service to a rental dwelling unit.
66.071(1)(en)1.b.
b. The owner of the rental dwelling unit notifies the commissioner of public works in writing of the name and address of the owner.
66.071(1)(en)1.c.
c. The owner of the rental dwelling unit notifies the commissioner of public works in writing of the name and address of the tenant who is responsible for payment of the utility charges.
66.071(1)(en)1.d.
d. If requested by the commissioner of public works, the owner of the rental dwelling unit provides the commissioner of public works with a copy of the rental or lease agreement in which the tenant assumes responsibility for the payment of the utility charges.
66.071(1)(en)2.
2. If this paragraph applies, the commissioner of public works may use
par. (e) to collect unpaid charges and bills incurred after the owner of a rental dwelling unit has provided the commissioner of public works with written notice under
subd. 1. only if the commissioner of public works complies with at least one of the following:
66.071(1)(en)2.a.
a. In order to comply with this
subd. 2. a., the commissioner of public works shall send bills for water service to a customer who is a tenant in the tenant's own name. Each time that a commissioner of public works notifies a customer who is a tenant that charges for water service provided by the waterworks to the customer are past due for more than one billing cycle, the commissioner of public works shall also serve a copy of the notice on the owner of the rental dwelling unit in the manner provided in
s. 801.14 (2). If a customer who is a tenant vacates his or her rental dwelling unit, and the owner of the rental dwelling unit provides the commissioner of public works, no later than 21 days after the date on which the tenant vacates the rental dwelling unit, with a sworn affidavit that contains a forwarding address for the tenant, the date that the tenant vacated the rental dwelling unit and a meter reading reflecting the service for which the tenant is responsible, the commissioner of public works shall continue to send past-due notices to the customer at his or her forwarding address until the past-due charges are paid or until the past-due charges have been certified to the comptroller under
par. (e).
66.071(1)(en)2.b.
b. In order to comply with this
subd. 2. b., if a customer who is a tenant has charges for water service provided by the waterworks that are past due, the commissioner of public works shall serve notice of the past-due charges on the owner of the rental dwelling unit within 14 days of the date on which the tenant's charges became past due. The commissioner of public works shall serve notice in the manner provided in
s. 801.14 (2).
66.071(1)(en)2m.
2m. The commissioner of public works may demonstrate compliance with the notice requirements of
subd. 2. a. or
b. by providing evidence of having sent the notice by U.S. mail.
66.071(1)(f)
(f) The commissioner of public works of a city may issue a permit to the county in which it is located, to any national home for disabled soldiers, or to any other applicant to obtain water from the city's water system for use outside of the limits of the city; and for that purpose to connect any pipe that is laid outside of the city limits with water pipe in the city. No permit may be issued until the applicant files with the commissioner of public works a bond in such sum and with such surety as the commissioner shall approve, conditioned that the applicant will obey the rules and regulations prescribed by the commissioner of public works for the use of the water; that the applicant will pay all charges fixed by the commissioner for the use of the water as measured by a meter to be approved by the commissioner, which charges shall include the proportionate cost of fluoridating the water and, except as to water furnished directly to county or other municipal properties, shall not be less than one-quarter more than those charged to the inhabitants of the city for like use of water; that the applicant will pay to the city a water pipe assessment if the property to be supplied with water has frontage on any thoroughfare forming the city boundary line in which a water main has been or shall be laid, and at the rate prescribed by the commissioner of public works; if the property to be supplied does not front on a city boundary but is distant therefrom, that a main pipe of the same size, class and standard as terminates at the city boundary shall be extended, and the entire cost shall be paid by the applicant for the extension; that the water main shall be laid according to city specifications and under city inspection; that the water main and appliances shall become the absolute property of the city, without any compensation therefor, whenever the property supplied with water by the extension or any part thereof shall be annexed to or in any manner become a part of the city; and that the applicant will pay to the city all damages whatever that it may sustain, arising in any way out of the manner in which the connection is made or water supply is used. In case of granting a permit to any county or to any national home for disabled soldiers, the commissioner of public works may waive the giving of a bond. Every permit shall be issued upon the understanding that the city shall in no event ever be liable for any damage in case of failure to supply water by reason of any condition beyond its control.
66.071(1)(g)
(g) The commissioner of public works shall prescribe and regulate the kind of water meters to be used in the city and the manner of attaching and connecting the water meters, and may make other rules for the use and control of water meters as are necessary to secure reliable and just measurement of the quantity of water used; and may alter and amend the rules as necessary for the purposes named. If the owner or occupant of any premises, where the attaching and connection of a water meter may lawfully be required, neglects or fails to attach and connect a water meter, as is required according to the rules established by the commissioner of public works, for 30 days after the expiration of the time within which the owner or occupant is notified by the commissioner of public works to attach and connect a meter, the commissioner of public works may cause the water supplied by the city to be cut off from the premises, and it shall not be restored except upon the terms and conditions prescribed by the commissioner of public works.
66.071(1)(h)
(h) The commissioner of public works may prescribe and regulate the size of connections made with the distribution mains for supplying automatic sprinkler systems and fix an annual charge for such service.
66.071(1)(i)
(i) The commissioner of public works may also make rules and regulations for the proper ventilating and trapping of all drains, soil pipes and fixtures hereafter constructed to connect with or be used in connection with the sewerage or water supply of the city. The council may provide by ordinance for the enforcement of such rules and regulations, and may prescribe proper penalties and punishment for disobedience of the same. The commissioner of public works may also make rules to regulate the use of vent, soil, drain, sewer or water pipes in all buildings in said city, which hereafter shall be proposed to be connected with the city water supply or sewerage, specifying the dimensions, strength and material of which the same shall be made, and may prohibit the introduction into any building of any style of water fixture, tap or connection, the use of which shall have been determined to be dangerous to health or for any reason unfit to be used, and the commissioner of public works shall require a rigid inspection by a skilled and competent inspector under the direction of the commissioner of public works of all plumbing and draining work and water and sewer connections, hereafter done or made in any building in the city, and unless the same are done or made according to rules of the commissioner of public works, and approved by the commissioner of public works, no connection of the premises with the city sewerage or water supply shall be allowed.
66.071(1)(j)
(j) The commissioner of public works shall make an annual report to the council of the commissioner's doings under this section, the state of the water fund and the general condition of the water system. The report, after being submitted to the council, shall be filed in the office of the comptroller.
66.071(2)(a)(a) The term "electric plant" as used in this section shall mean a plant for the production, transmission, delivery and furnishing of electric light, heat or power directly to the public.
66.071(2)(b)
(b) If the city shall have determined to acquire an electric plant or any other public utility in accordance with the provisions of this section, the mayor of such city, prior to the city taking possession of such property, shall appoint, subject to the confirmation of the council, 7 persons of recognized business experience and standing to act as the board of directors for such utility. Two of such persons shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, 2 for a term of 4 years, 2 for a term of 6 years, and one for a term of 8 years. Thereafter successors shall be appointed in like manner for terms of 10 years each. Any such director may be removed by the mayor with the approval of the council for misconduct in office or for unreasonable absence from meetings of the directors.
66.071(2)(c)
(c) The directors so appointed shall have power to: employ a manager experienced in the management of electric plants or other like public utilities and fix his or her compensation and the other terms and conditions of employment and to remove him or her at pleasure, subject to the terms and conditions of his or her employment; advise and consult with the manager and other employes as to any matter pertaining to maintenance, operation or extension of such utility; and perform such other duties as ordinarily devolve upon a board of directors of a corporation organized under
ch. 180 not inconsistent with this section and the laws governing 1st class cities. No money shall be raised or authorized to be raised by said board of directors other than from revenues derived from the operation of the utility, except by action of the council.
66.071(2)(d)
(d) The manager appointed by the board of directors shall have complete management and control of the utility, subject to the powers herein conferred upon the board of directors and the council and shall have power to appoint assistants and all other employes which the manager deems necessary and fix their compensation and other terms and conditions of employment, except that the board of directors may prescribe rules for determining the fitness of persons for positions and employment.
66.071(2)(e)
(e) The council shall fix the compensation, if any, of members of the board of directors and shall have the powers herein conferred upon it and such other powers as it now possesses with reference to electric plants and other public utilities.
66.072
66.072
Utility districts. 66.072(1)(1) Towns, villages and 3rd and 4th class cities may establish utility districts.
66.072(1)(a)
(a) In villages and 3rd and 4th class cities, the village board or common council may direct that the cost of utility district highways, sewers, sidewalks, street lighting and water for fire protection not paid for by special assessment be paid out of the district fund under
sub. (2). The cost of bridges in the district may not be paid out of the district fund.
66.072(1)(b)
(b) In towns, the town board may direct that the cost of any convenience or public improvement provided in the district and not paid for by special assessment be paid from the district fund under
sub. (2).
66.072(2)
(2) The fund of each district shall be provided by taxation of the property in such district, upon an annual estimate by the department in charge of public works in cities and villages, and by the town chairperson in towns, filed by October 1. Separate account shall be kept of each district fund.
66.072(3)
(3) In towns a majority vote and in villages and cities a three-fourths vote of all the members of the governing body shall be required to thus establish utility districts and by a like vote districts may be vacated, altered, or consolidated.
66.072(4)
(4) Before the vote is effective to establish, vacate, alter or consolidate, a hearing shall be held as provided in
s. 66.60 (7). In towns the notice may be given by posting in 3 public places in said town, one of which shall be in the proposed district, at least 2 weeks prior to such hearing.
66.072(5)(a)(a) When any town board establishes a utility district under this section the board may also, if a town sanitary district is in existence for the town, dissolve said sanitary district in which case all assets, liabilities and functions of the sanitary district shall be taken over by the utility district.
66.072(5)(b)
(b) All functions performed by a sanitary district and assumed by a utility district under this subsection shall remain subject to regulation by the public service commission as if no transfer had occurred.
66.072(5)(c)
(c) If a sanitary district is located in more than one municipality, action under this section may be taken only upon approval of a majority of the members of the governing body of each municipality in which the sanitary district is located.
