62.50(12)
(12) Trial to be ordered. Whenever complaint against any member of the force of either department is made to the chief thereof, the chief shall immediately communicate the same to the board of fire and police commissioners and a trial shall be ordered by the board under this section.
62.50(13)
(13) Discharge or suspension; appeal. The chief discharging or suspending for a period exceeding 5 days any member of the force shall give written notice of the discharge or suspension to the member and immediately report the same to the secretary of the board of fire and police commissioners together with a complaint setting forth the reasons for the discharge or suspension and the name of the complainant if other than the chief. Within 10 days after the date of service of the notice of a discharge or suspension order the members so discharged or suspended may appeal from the order of discharge or suspension or discipline to the board of fire and police commissioners, by filing with the board a notice of appeal in the following or similar form:
To the honorable board of fire and police commissioners:
Please take notice that I appeal from the order or decision of the chief of the .... department, discharging (or suspending) me from service, which order of discharge (or suspension) was made on the .... day of ...., .... (year).
62.50(14)
(14) Complaint. The board, after receiving the notice of appeal shall, within 5 days, serve the appellant with a copy of the complaint and a notice fixing the time and place of trial, which time of trial may not be less than 5 days nor more than 15 days after service of the notice and a copy of the complaint.
62.50(15)
(15) Notice of trial. Notice of the time and place of the trial, together with a copy of the charges preferred shall be served upon the accused in the same manner that a summons is served in this state.
62.50(16)
(16) Trial; adjournment. The accused and the chief shall have the right to an adjournment of the trial or investigation of the charges, not to exceed 15 days. In the course of any trial or investigation under this section each member of the fire and police commission may administer oaths, secure by its subpoenas both the attendance of witnesses and the production of records relevant to the trial and investigation, and compel witnesses to answer and may punish for contempt in the same manner provided by law in trials before municipal judges for failure to answer or to produce records necessary for the trial. The trial shall be public and all witnesses shall be under oath. The accused shall have full opportunity to be heard in defense and shall be entitled to secure the attendance of all witnesses necessary for the defense at the expense of the city. The accused may appear in person and by attorney. The city in which the department is located may be represented by the city attorney. All evidence shall be taken by a stenographic reporter who first shall be sworn to perform the duties of a stenographic reporter in taking evidence in the matter fully and fairly to the best of his or her ability.
62.50(17)(a)(a) Within 3 days after hearing the matter the board shall, by a majority vote of its members and subject to
par. (b), determine whether by a preponderance of the evidence the charges are sustained. If the board determines that the charges are sustained, the board shall at once determine whether the good of the service requires that the accused be permanently discharged or be suspended without pay for a period not exceeding 60 days or reduced in rank. If the charges are not sustained the accused shall be immediately reinstated in his or her former position, without prejudice. The decision and findings of the board shall be in writing and shall be filed, together with a transcript of the evidence, with the secretary of the board.
62.50(17)(b)
(b) No police officer may be suspended, reduced in rank, suspended and reduced in rank, or discharged by the board under
sub. (11),
(13) or
(19), or under
par. (a), based on charges filed by the board, members of the board, an aggrieved person or the chief under
sub. (11),
(13) or
(19), or under
par. (a), unless the board determines whether there is just cause, as described in this paragraph, to sustain the charges. In making its determination, the board shall apply the following standards, to the extent applicable:
62.50(17)(b)1.
1. Whether the subordinate could reasonably be expected to have had knowledge of the probable consequences of the alleged conduct.
62.50(17)(b)2.
2. Whether the rule or order that the subordinate allegedly violated is reasonable.
62.50(17)(b)3.
3. Whether the chief, before filing the charge against the subordinate, made a reasonable effort to discover whether the subordinate did in fact violate a rule or order.
62.50(17)(b)4.
4. Whether the effort described under
subd. 3. was fair and objective.
62.50(17)(b)5.
5. Whether the chief discovered substantial evidence that the subordinate violated the rule or order as described in the charges filed against the subordinate.
62.50(17)(b)6.
6. Whether the chief is applying the rule or order fairly and without discrimination against the subordinate.
62.50(17)(b)7.
7. Whether the proposed discipline reasonably relates to the seriousness of the alleged violation and to the subordinate's record of service with the chief's department.
62.50(18)
(18) Salary during suspension. No chief officer of either department or member of the fire department may be deprived of any salary or wages for the period of time suspended preceding an investigation or trial, unless the charge is sustained. No member of the police force may be suspended or discharged under
sub. (11) or
(13) without pay or benefits until the matter that is the subject of the suspension or discharge is disposed of by the board or the time for appeal under
sub. (13) passes without an appeal being made.
62.50(19)
(19) Charges by aggrieved person. In cases where duly verified charges are filed by any aggrieved person with the board of fire and police commissioners, setting forth sufficient cause for the removal of any member of either of the departments, including the chiefs or their assistants, the board or chief may suspend such member or officer pending disposition of such charges. The board shall cause notice of the filing of the charges with a copy to be served upon the accused and shall set a date for the trial and investigation of the charges, following the procedure under this section. The board shall decide by a majority vote and subject to the just cause standard described in
sub. (17) (b) whether the charges are sustained. If sustained, the board shall immediately determine whether the good of the service requires that the accused be removed, suspended from office without pay for a period not exceeding 60 days or reduced in rank. If the charges are not sustained, the accused shall be immediately reinstated without prejudice. The secretary of the board shall make the decision public.
62.50(20)
(20) Circuit court review; notice. Any officer or member of either department discharged, suspended or reduced, may, within 10 days after the decision and findings under this section are filed with the secretary of the board, bring an action in the circuit court of the county in which the city is located to review the order. Such action shall begin by the serving of a notice on the secretary of the board making such order and on the city attorney of such city, which notice may be in the following or similar form:
In Circuit Court, .... County.
To .... Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.
To .... City Attorney:
Please take notice that I hereby demand that the circuit court of .... County review the order made by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners on the ... day of ... A.D. .... discharging, (or suspending) .... from the .... department.
(Signed) ....
62.50(21)
(21) Certification and return of record; hearing. Upon the service of the demand under
sub. (20), the board upon which the service is made shall within 5 days thereafter certify to the clerk of the circuit court of the county all charges, testimony, and everything relative to the trial and discharge, suspension or reduction in rank of the member. Upon the filing of the return with the clerk of court, actions for review shall be given preference. Upon application of the discharged member or the board, the court shall fix a date for the trial which shall be no later than 15 days after the date of the application except upon agreement between the board and the discharged or suspended member. The action shall be tried by the court without a jury and shall be tried upon the return made by the board. In determining the question of fact presented, the court shall be limited in the review thereof to the question: "Under the evidence is there just cause, as described in
sub. (17) (b), to sustain the charges against the accused?" The court may require additional return to be made by the board, and may also require the board to take additional testimony and make return thereof.
62.50(22)
(22) Costs; reinstatement. No costs may be allowed in the action to either party and the clerks' fees shall be paid by the city in which the department is located. If the decision of the board is reversed, the discharged or suspended member shall forthwith be reinstated in his or her former position in the department and shall be entitled to pay the same as if not discharged or suspended. If the decision of the board is sustained, the order of discharge, suspension or reduction shall be final and conclusive in all cases.
62.50(23)
(23) Duties of chief. The chief engineer of the fire department and the chief of police of a 1st class city, shall be the head of their respective departments. The chief of police shall preserve the public peace and enforce all laws and ordinances of the city. The chiefs shall be responsible for the efficiency and general good conduct of the department under their control. The board may review the efficiency and general good conduct of the departments. A chief shall act as an adviser to the board when the board reviews his or her department. The board may issue written directives to a chief based on a review of the chief's department. The chief receiving a directive shall implement the directive unless the directive is overruled in writing by the mayor. Each of the chiefs shall maintain and have custody of all property of their respective departments, including but not limited to, all books and records, which shall be available and subject to inspection by the board.
62.50(23m)
(23m) Firearm law media campaign. The board shall conduct a city-wide communications media campaign designed to deter the unlawful possession and use of firearms by educating the public about the legal consequences of unlawful possession and use of firearms. The department of administration shall provide funding to the board for the media campaign under this subsection from the appropriation under
s. 20.475 (1) (f). The amounts paid by the department of administration under this subsection may not exceed $90,000 in the 1999-2000 fiscal year and $60,000 in the 2000-01 fiscal year.
62.50(24)
(24) Signal service department. All apparatus and all mechanical appliances requiring the use of telegraph or telephone wire or other wire for signaling purposes, with the consequent use of the public highways, together with such wire and all appurtenances to such apparatus and the constructional work therefor, may be placed under the management and control of a separate department. Such department shall be established and the compensation of the superintendent and all employees of such department shall be fixed by ordinance of the common council. The superintendent of the department shall be appointed by the board, and all other employees of the department shall be appointed in the same manner, and shall be subject to removal upon the same conditions as the members of the fire and police departments, and wherever applicable this section shall apply to such department the same as to the fire and police departments.
62.50(25)
(25) Chief examiner. The board may appoint a chief examiner. The board shall prescribe the chief examiner's duties and compensation, which shall be paid by the city on the certificate of the board. Such examiner is subject to removal at any time by a majority of the board, and the board may change such duties and compensation at any time as it deems proper. The board may fix and alter compensation for any other examiners appointed by the board, and such compensation shall be paid by the city on certificate of the board.
62.50(26)
(26) Reservation of existing terms. Nothing contained in this section may be construed to affect the term of office of any person who is a member of any police or fire commission in any city of the 1st class nor to affect the term of office of any member appointed to fill out the unexpired term of any person who is a member of such commission at the time this section first applies to such city.
62.50(27)
(27) Mayor to appoint additional members. A mayor of a city of the 1st class, whether acting under a general or special charter, shall appoint a sufficient number of members for the police and fire commission of such city so that the commission shall conform with this section, and such additional members and their successors shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.
62.50(28)
(28) Engaging in political activity. Subject to the requirements of
ch. 164, the common council of any 1st class city may enact an ordinance which regulates the political activities of its law enforcement officers, as defined in
s. 165.85 (2) (c), including, but not limited to, providing for leaves of absence for members who are candidates for or who are elected to public office.
62.50(29)
(29) Officers' rights. In case of a conflict with
ch. 164, the provisions of
ch. 164 supersede the provisions of this section.
62.50 History
History: 1977 c. 19,
20,
53,
151;
1977 c. 272 ss.
24 to
30,
92 to
95;
1979 c. 307,
351;
1979 c. 361 s.
113;
1981 c. 213,
380;
1981 c. 391 s.
211;
1983 a. 58,
179,
192,
219;
1989 a. 31;
1997 a. 237,
250;
1999 a. 9.
62.50 Annotation
Circuit court review of a decision of the City of Milwaukee Board of Fire and Police Commissioners was proper by a writ of certiorari. Edmonds v. Board of Fire & Police Commissioners,
66 Wis. 2d 337,
224 N.W.2d 575.
62.50 Annotation
An arbitrator exceeded his power by directing that the grievant be transferred when the contract reserved transfer authority to the city and chief of police. Milwaukee v. Milwaukee Police Asso.
97 Wis. 2d 15,
292 N.W.2d 841 (1980).
62.50 Annotation
Discharges based solely on coerced confessions were improper. Oddsen v. Board of Fire & Police Com'rs.
108 Wis. 2d 143,
321 N.W.2d 161 (1982).
62.50 Annotation
A circuit court may sua sponte address constitutional issues not presented by the parties, but must allow the parties to develop a factual record pursuant to sub. (21). Slawinski v. Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission,
212 Wis. 2d 777,
569 N.W.2d 740 (Ct. App. 1997).
62.50 Annotation
When multiple disciplinary charges and suspensions arise from a single transaction, the length of the suspension for purposes of sub. (13) must be measured by aggregating the suspensions. Parker v. Jones,
226 Wis. 2d 310,
595 N.W.2d 92 (Ct. App. 1999).
62.50 Annotation
It is unconstitutional to condition continued public employment upon a waiver of the privilege against self-incrimination. An employee may be required to answer questions in a disciplinary hearing when granted immunity from criminal prosecution. There is no immunity for uncoerced false statements made during a disciplinary investigation. There is no requirement for Miranda-like warnings, which in their absence would require the suppression of all statements made in disciplinary proceedings. Herek v. Police & Fire Commission of Menomonee Falls,
226 Wis. 2d 504,
595 Wis. 2d 113 (Ct. App. 1999).
62.50 Annotation
The 60-day period in sub. (17) refers to working days. Balcerzak v. Board of Fire and Police Commissioners for the City of Milwaukee, 2000 WI App 50,
233 Wis. 2d 644,
608 N.W.2d 382.
62.50 Annotation
A board does not have original rule-making authority under sub. (23). A board can suspend rules prescribed by the chiefs of the fire and police departments and can enact rules to replace suspended rules.
71 Atty. Gen. 60.
62.50 Annotation
A property interest in employment with the police department is recognized in sub. (11), but there is no property interest in a particular job assignment. Without a protected interest there can be no violation of procedural due process rights in the making of a job assignment. Gustafson v. Jones,
117 F.3d 1015 (1997).
62.51
62.51
Mayoral appointments in 1st class cities. 62.51(1)(a)
(a) "Public office" means the following positions or their equivalent: city engineer; city purchasing agent; commissioner of building inspection, of city development, of health or of public works; director of administration, of budget and management, of community development agency, of employee relations, of office of telecommunications, or of safety; emergency management coordinator; employee benefits administrator; executive director of the commission on community relations; municipal port director; commissioner of assessments; director of liaison; city personnel director; executive director of the retirement board; executive director of the city board of election commissioners; city librarian; city labor negotiator; executive secretary of the board of fire and police commissioners; and supervisor of the central electronics board.
62.51(1)(b)
(b) "Public official" means a person appointed to a public office under this section.
62.51(2)
(2) In any 1st class city, the mayor shall appoint, subject to confirmation of the common council, a person to serve in the unclassified service in each public office. A public official serves at the pleasure of the mayor until the end of the mayoral term of office during which the public official is appointed unless reappointed and reconfirmed or until a successor is appointed and confirmed, whichever is later. The mayor shall make appointments under this subsection within 90 days after taking office or within 90 days after a vacancy in the public office occurs, whichever is later. The common council shall vote on confirmation of any appointment under this subsection within 45 days after that appointment.
62.51(3)
(3) If a 1st class city authorizes the position of deputy for a public office, the public official in that office shall appoint a person to serve in the unclassified service as deputy. That deputy shall serve at the pleasure of the public official, but not longer than the public official's term of office unless reappointed.
62.51(4)
(4) This section does not affect the authority of a 1st class city to abolish, consolidate or create a public office or other position.
62.51 History
History: 1987 a. 289,
382;
1989 a. 31;
1991 a. 156;
1995 a. 247;
1999 a. 150 s.
302; Stats. 1999 s. 62.51.
62.53
62.53
Residency required for public officials in 1st class cities. Any public official, as defined in
s. 62.51 (1) (b), may not serve more than 180 days after his or her confirmation unless he or she resides within the boundaries of the 1st class city by which he or she is employed.
62.53 History
History: 1987 a. 289;
1999 a. 150 s.
300; Stats. 1999 s. 62.53.
62.55
62.55
Requirements for surety bonds of officers and employees in 1st class cities. If an office or position in the service of a 1st class city involves fiduciary responsibility or the handling of money, the appointing officer may require the appointee to furnish a bond or other security to the officer and the city for the faithful performance of the appointee's duty. The amount of the bond or security shall be fixed by the appointing officer, with the approval of the mayor. Notice of the mayor's approval shall be given to the city clerk by the mayor. Each bond shall be approved by the city attorney as to form and execution and by the common council as to sufficiency of sureties. Any surety company, the bonds of which are accepted by the judge of any court of record in this state, or which is approved by the comptroller of the city, is sufficient security on the bond. The premium on a bond under this section, within the limits fixed by law, shall be paid out of the city treasury. The appointing officer shall immediately after the execution of the bond file the bond with the city clerk. The city clerk shall require compliance with the terms of this section requiring the filing of bonds with the city clerk by officers and employees. Bonds of city officers and employees under this section, duly witnessed and acknowledged, after being approved by the common council, shall be delivered to the city comptroller, who shall have them recorded in the office of the register of deeds. After the bonds are recorded, the bonds shall be returned to the city clerk, who shall keep them on file in the city clerk's office; except that after the recording of the bond of the city clerk by the city comptroller, that bond shall remain on file in the office of the city comptroller. Each bond filed by any surety company shall be accompanied by a duplicate of the bond. The duplicate shall be filed by the clerk with the city comptroller.
62.55 History
History: 1991 a. 316;
1999 a. 150 s.
301; Stats. 1999 s. 62.55.
62.57
62.57
Uniform salaries in 1st class cities. The common council of a 1st class city may at any regular or special meeting adopt a uniform and comprehensive salary or wage ordinance, or both, based on a classification of officers, employments and positions in the city service, whether previously so classified or not, if provision has been made in the budget of the current year for the total sum of money required for the payment of the salaries and wages and a tax levied to fund the wages and salaries. Wages under this section may be fixed by resolution. The common council may, at any time, determine a cost-of-living increment or deduction, to be paid in addition to wages or salaries under this section, based on a proper finding of the United States bureau of labor statistics. The common council may provide for overtime pay and compensatory time under
s. 103.025 for employees who work in excess of 40 hours per week.
62.57 History
History: 1993 a. 144;
1999 a. 150 s.
498; Stats. 1999 s. 62.57.
62.59
62.59
Police authority to alderpersons in 1st class cities repealed. No common council in a 1st class city by ordinance may give alderpersons the powers of city police officers.
62.59 History
History: 1983 a. 210;
1993 a. 184;
1999 a. 150 s.
308; Stats. 1999 s. 62.59.
62.61
62.61
Health insurance; 1st class cities. The common council of a 1st class city may, by ordinance or resolution, provide for, including the payment of premiums of, general hospital, surgical and group insurance for both active and retired city officers and city employees and their respective dependents in private companies, or may, by ordinance or resolution, elect to offer to all of its employees a health care coverage plan through a program offered by the group insurance board under
ch. 40. Municipalities which elect to participate under
s. 40.51 (7) are subject to the applicable sections of
ch. 40 instead of this section. Contracts for insurance under this section may be entered into for active officers and employees separately from contracts for retired officers and employees. Appropriations may be made for the purpose of financing insurance under this section. Moneys accruing to a fund to finance insurance under this section, by investment or otherwise, may not be diverted for any other purpose than those for which the fund was set up or to defray management expenses of the fund or to partially pay premiums to reduce costs to the city or to persons covered by the insurance, or both.
62.61 History
History: 1985 a. 29;
1999 a. 150 s.
307; Stats. 1999 s. 62.61.
62.63
62.63
Benefit funds for officers and employees of 1st class cities. 62.63(1)(1)
Establishment of funds. By a majority vote of the members-elect, the common council of a 1st class city may create, establish, maintain and administer annuity and benefit funds for city officers and employees, including officers and employees of boards, agencies, departments and divisions of the city government and of a housing authority established under
s. 66.1201.
62.63(2)
(2) Retirement board. By a majority vote of its members, the common council of a 1st class city may create a retirement board to administer an annuity and benefit fund under this section. The retirement board may make rules and regulations under which all participants contribute to and receive benefits from the fund. Members of the board shall serve without compensation. Three members of the board shall be city employees elected by the members of the retirement system and shall serve 4-year terms and 5 members shall be appointed under
s. 62.51 and shall serve 3-year terms. The common council may provide for contribution by the city to the annuity and benefit fund. The executive director of the retirement board shall be appointed under
s. 62.51.
62.63(3)
(3) Investment of retirement funds. The board of a retirement system of a 1st class city, whose funds are independent of control by the investment board, may invest funds from the system, in excess of the amount of cash required for current operations, in loans, securities and any other investments authorized for investment of funds of the public employee trust fund under
s. 25.17 (3) (a) and
(4). The independent retirement system board is subject to the conditions imposed on the investment board in making the investments under
s. 25.17 (3) (e) to
(g),
(4),
(7),
(8) and
(15) but is exempt from the operation of
ch. 881. In addition to all other authority for the investment of funds granted to the board of a retirement system of a 1st class city whose funds are independent of the control of the investment board, the retirement system board of the city may invest its funds in accordance with s.
206.34, 1969 stats. In making investments under this subsection, the board of a retirement system of a 1st class city may invest in shares of investments authorized under this subsection.
62.63(4)
(4) Exemption of funds and benefits from taxation, execution and assignment. Except as provided in
s. 49.852 and subject to
s. 767.265, all moneys and assets of a retirement system of a 1st class city and all benefits and allowances, both before and after payment to any beneficiary, granted under the retirement system are exempt from any state, county or municipal tax or from attachment or garnishment process. The benefits and allowances may not be seized, taken, detained or levied upon by virtue of any executions, or any process or proceeding issued out of or by any court of this state, for the payment and ratification in whole or in part of any debt, claim, damage, demand or judgment against any member of or beneficiary under the retirement system. No member of or beneficiary under the retirement system may assign any benefit or allowance either by way of mortgage or otherwise. The prohibition against assigning a benefit or allowance does not apply to assignments made for the payment of insurance premiums. The exemption from taxation under this section does not apply with respect to any tax on income.
62.63 History
History: 1999 a. 150 ss.
15,
569,
571,
574,
575.
62.65
62.65
Death benefit payments to foreign beneficiaries. The common council of a 1st class city may provide that under the city's retirement system no beneficiary may be designated for the payment of any retirement allowance, pension or proceeds of a member of the retirement system if the beneficiary is not a resident of either the United States or Canada. If a beneficiary is designated who is neither a resident of the United States nor Canada, any contributions or retirement allowance which would have been paid to the beneficiary had the beneficiary been a resident of either the United States or Canada is payable to the estate of the deceased member of the retirement system. The common council may also provide that if a death benefit would be payable because of the death of a member of the retirement system and the designated beneficiary of the death benefit is not a resident of either the United States or Canada, the death benefit which would have been paid had the designated beneficiary been a resident of either the United States or Canada is payable to the estate of the deceased member.
62.65 History
History: 1991 a. 316;
1999 a. 150 s.
573; Stats. 1999 s. 62.65.
62.67
62.67
Uninsured motorist coverage; 1st class cities. A 1st class city shall provide uninsured motorist motor vehicle liability insurance coverage for motor vehicles owned by the city and operated by city employees in the course of employment. The coverage required by this section shall have at least the limits prescribed for uninsured motorist coverage under
s. 632.32 (4) (a).
62.67 History
History: 1983 a. 537; Stats. 1983 s. 66.187;
1983 a. 538 s.
97; Stats. 1983 s. 66.189;
1999 a. 150 s.
309; Stats. 1999 s. 62.67.
62.67 Annotation
This section requires the city to provide uninsured motorist coverage for its vehicles regardless of whether it is able to obtain coverage from an insurance carrier. American Family Ins. Co. v. Milwaukee,
148 Wis. 2d 280,
435 N.W.2d 280 (Ct. App. 1988).
62.67 Annotation
This section puts the city in the position of an insurer subject to the subrogation rights of its officer's personal insurers. Millers National Ins. Co. v. Milwaukee,
184 Wis. 2d 155,
516 N.W.2d 516 (Ct. App. 1994).
62.67 Annotation
This section requires the city to be the primary provider of uninsured motorist coverage. Norman v. City of Milwaukee,
198 Wis. 2d 98,
542 N.W.2d 473 (Ct. App. 1995).
62.69
62.69
First class city utilities. 62.69(1)
(1)
Application. This section applies to 1st class cities.
62.69(2)(a)(a) In this subsection, "commissioner of public works" includes any board of public works, or commissioner of public works, or other officer of the city having control of the city's public works.
62.69(2)(b)
(b) In this subsection, all acts authorized to be done by the commissioner of public works, except enforcement of regulations approved by the common council, shall be approved by the common council before the acts may take effect.
62.69(2)(c)
(c) Water rates shall be collected in the manner and by whom the common council determines, and shall be accounted for and paid to the other officials in the manner and at the times that the council prescribes. Persons collecting water rates shall give a bond to cover all the duties in an amount prescribed by the council. Final accounting shall be made to the comptroller and final disposition of money shall be made to the city treasurer.
62.69(2)(d)
(d) 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.
62.69(2)(e)
(e) Water rates are due as the common council provides. To all water rates remaining unpaid 20 days after the due date, there shall be added a penalty of 5% of the amount due, and if the rates remain unpaid for 10 days additional days, water may be turned off the premises. If the supply of water is turned off, water may not be turned on to the premises until all delinquent rates and penalties, and a sum not exceeding $2 for turning the water off and on, are paid. The penalty and charge may be made when payment is made to a collector sent to the premises. On or before the date on which rates become due, a written or printed notice or bill shall be mailed or personally delivered to the occupant or, upon written request, to the owner at the location the owner states, of all premises subject to the payment of water rates, stating the amount due, the time when and the place where the rates can be paid and the penalty for neglect of payment.
62.69(2)(f)
(f) All water rates for water furnished to any building or premises, and the cost of repairing meters, service pipes, stops or stop boxes, are a lien on the lot, part of lot or parcel of land on which the building or premises is located. If any water rates or bills for the repairing of meters, service pipes, stops or stop boxes remain unpaid on October 1, the unpaid rates or bills shall be certified to the city comptroller on or before November 1, 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 the 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 the commissioner of public works determines that the quantity indicated by the meter is materially incorrect or if a meter has been off temporarily due to repairs, the commissioner shall estimate the quantity used, and the determination is conclusive. No water rate or rates duly assessed against any property may be remitted or changed except by the common council. 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 is 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).
62.69(2)(g)1.1. This paragraph applies only if all of the following conditions are met:
62.69(2)(g)1.a.
a. The waterworks provides water service to a rental dwelling unit.
62.69(2)(g)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.
