66.0203(2)(e)
(e) No person who has signed a petition may withdraw his or her name from the petition. No additional signatures may be added after a petition is filed.
66.0203(2)(f)
(f) The circulation of the petition shall commence not less than 10 days nor more than 20 days after the date of publication of the notice of intention to circulate.
66.0203(3)(a)(a) Upon the filing of the petition the circuit court shall by order fix a time and place for a hearing giving preference to the hearing over other matters on the court calendar.
66.0203(3)(b)
(b) The court may by order allow costs and disbursements as provided for actions in circuit court in any proceeding under this subsection.
66.0203(3)(c)
(c) The court may, upon notice to all parties who have appeared in the hearing and after a hearing on the issue of bond, order the petitioners or any of the opponents to post bond in an amount that it considers sufficient to cover disbursements.
66.0203(4)(a)(a) Notice of the filing of the petition and of the date of the hearing on the petition before the circuit court shall be published in the territory to be incorporated, as a class 2 notice, under
ch. 985, and given by certified or registered mail to the clerk of each town in which the territory is located and to the clerk of each metropolitan municipality of the metropolitan community in which the territory is located. The mailing shall be not less than 10 days before the time set for the hearing.
66.0203(4)(b)1.
1. A description of the territory sufficiently accurate to determine its location and a statement that a scale map reasonably showing the boundaries of the territory is on file with the circuit court.
66.0203(4)(b)2.
2. The name of each town in which the territory is located.
66.0203(4)(b)3.
3. The name and post-office address of the representative of the petitioners.
66.0203(5)
(5) Parties. Any governmental unit entitled to notice pursuant to
sub. (4), any school district which lies at least partly in the territory or any other person found by the court to be a party in interest may become a party to the proceeding prior to the time set for the hearing.
66.0203(6)
(6) Annexation resolution. Any municipality whose boundaries are contiguous to the territory may also file with the circuit court a certified copy of a resolution adopted by a two-thirds vote of the elected members of the governing body indicating a willingness to annex the territory designated in the incorporation petition. The resolution shall be filed at or prior to the hearing on the incorporation petition, or any adjournment granted for this purpose by the court.
66.0203(7)(a)(a) No action to contest the validity of an incorporation on any grounds, whether procedural or jurisdictional, may be commenced after 60 days from the date of issuance of the charter of incorporation by the secretary of state.
66.0203(7)(b)
(b) An action contesting an incorporation shall be given preference in the circuit court.
66.0203(8)(a)(a) After the filing of the petition and proof of notice, the circuit court shall conduct a hearing at the time and place specified in the notice, or at a time and place to which the hearing is duly adjourned.
66.0203(8)(b)
(b) On the basis of the hearing the circuit court shall find if the standards under
s. 66.0205 are met. If the court finds that the standards are not met, the court shall dismiss the petition. If the court finds that the standards are met the court shall refer the petition to the department. Upon payment of any fee imposed under
s. 16.53 (14), the department shall determine whether the standards under
s. 66.0207 are met.
66.0203(9)(a)(a) Upon receipt of the petition from the circuit court and payment of any fee imposed under
s. 16.53 (14), the department shall make any necessary investigation to apply the standards under
s. 66.0207.
66.0203(9)(b)
(b) Within 20 days after the receipt by the department of the petition from the circuit court and payment of any fee imposed under
s. 16.53 (14), whichever is later, any party in interest may request a hearing. Upon receipt of the request, the department shall schedule a hearing at a place in or convenient to the territory sought to be incorporated.
66.0203(9)(c)
(c) Notice of the hearing shall be given in the territory to be incorporated by publishing a class 2 notice, under
ch. 985, and by mailing the notice to the designated representative of the petitioners or any 5 petitioners and to all town and municipal clerks entitled to receive mailed notice of the petition under
sub. (4).
66.0203(9)(d)
(d) Unless the court sets a different time limit, the department shall prepare its findings and determination, citing the supporting evidence, within 90 days after receipt of the referral from the court and payment of any fee imposed under
s. 16.53 (14), whichever is later. The findings and determination shall be forwarded by the department to the circuit court. Copies of the findings and determination shall be sent by certified or registered mail to the designated representative of the petitioners, and to all town and municipal clerks entitled to receive mailed notice of the petition under
sub. (4).
66.0203(9)(e)3.
3. The petition as submitted is dismissed with a recommendation that a new petition be submitted to include more or less territory as specified in the department's findings and determination.
66.0203(9)(f)
(f) If the department determines that the petition shall be dismissed under
par. (e) 1., the circuit court shall issue an order dismissing the petition. If the department grants the petition, the circuit court shall order an incorporation referendum as provided in
s. 66.0211.
66.0203(9)(g)
(g) The findings of both the court and the department shall be based upon facts as they existed at the time of the filing of the petition.
66.0203(9)(h)
(h) Except for an incorporation petition which describes the territory recommended by the department under
s. 66.0203 (9) (e) 3., no petition for the incorporation of the same or substantially the same territory may be entertained for one year following the date of dismissal under
par. (f) of the petition or the date of any election at which incorporation was rejected by the electors.
66.0203(10)
(10) Existing ordinances. A county shoreland zoning ordinance enacted under
s. 59.692 that is in force in any part of the territory continues in force until altered under
s. 59.692 (7) (ad).
66.0203 Annotation
Sub. (5) does not empower a court to compel joinder. In re Incorporation of Town of Fitchburg,
98 Wis. 2d 635,
299 N.W.2d 199 (1980).
66.0203 Annotation
An incorporation petition's precedence over a competing annexation proceeding is discussed. Town of Delavan v. City of Delavan,
176 Wis. 2d 516,
500 N.W.2d 268 (1993).
66.0203 Annotation
Sub. (2) (e) prevents the signer of a petition from withdrawing his or her name. It does not prevent the circulator of the petition from striking invalid signatures. Sub. (2) (b) permits withdrawal of a signature before the petition is filed. Walag v. Town of Randall,
213 Wis. 2d 424,
570 N.W.2d 623 (Ct. App. 1997).
66.0203 Annotation
The effect of the requirement in sub. (2) (c) of a description with "sufficient accuracy" and a scale map "reasonably showing" the boundaries of the affected parcel is that the description and map, when viewed together, fairly apprise the public of the territory to be incorporated. Wirth v. City of Port Washington, 2001 WI App 277,
248 Wis. 2d 893,
637 N.W.2d 442.
66.0203 Annotation
The date a petition is "entertained" under sub. (9) (h) is the date the petition is filed with the circuit court. Town of Sheboygan v. City of Sheboygan, 2001 WI App 279,
248 Wis. 2d 904,
637 N.W.2d 770.
66.0205
66.0205
Standards to be applied by the circuit court. Before referring the incorporation petition as provided in
s. 66.0203 (2) to the department, the court shall determine whether the petition meets the formal and signature requirements and shall further find that the following minimum requirements are met:
66.0205(1)
(1) Isolated village. Area, one-half square mile; resident population, 150.
66.0205(2)
(2) Isolated city. Area, one square mile; resident population, 1,000; density, at least 500 persons in any one square mile.
66.0205(3)
(3) Metropolitan village. Area, 2 square miles; resident population, 2,500; density, at least 500 persons in any one square mile.
66.0205(4)
(4) Metropolitan city. Area, 3 square miles; resident population, 5,000; density, at least 750 persons in any one square mile.
66.0205(5)
(5) Standards when near 1st, 2nd or 3rd class city. If the proposed boundary of a metropolitan village or city is within 10 miles of the boundary of a 1st class city or 5 miles of a 2nd or 3rd class city, the minimum area requirements are 4 and 6 square miles for villages and cities, respectively.
66.0205 History
History: 1977 c. 29;
1999 a. 150 s.
37; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0205.
66.0205 Annotation
The 4 square mile requirement of sub. (5) was met when 4.2 square miles of village land were proposed for annexation, although 2.5 square miles of that land was within floodway lines. In re Petition of Township of Campbell,
78 Wis. 2d 246,
254 N.W.2d 241 (1977).
66.0207
66.0207
Standards to be applied by the department. 66.0207(1)(1) The department may approve for referendum only those proposed incorporations which meet the following requirements:
66.0207(1)(a)
(a)
Characteristics of territory. The entire territory of the proposed village or city shall be reasonably homogeneous and compact, taking into consideration natural boundaries, natural drainage basin, soil conditions, present and potential transportation facilities, previous political boundaries, boundaries of school districts, shopping and social customs. An isolated municipality shall have a reasonably developed community center, including some or all features such as retail stores, churches, post office, telecommunications exchange and similar centers of community activity.
66.0207(1)(b)
(b)
Territory beyond the core. The territory beyond the most densely populated one-half square mile specified in
s. 66.0205 (1) or the most densely populated square mile specified in
s. 66.0205 (2) shall have an average of more than 30 housing units per quarter section or an assessed value, as defined in
s. 66.0217 (1) (a) for real estate tax purposes, more than 25% of which is attributable to existing or potential mercantile, manufacturing or public utility uses. The territory beyond the most densely populated square mile as specified in
s. 66.0205 (3) or
(4) shall have the potential for residential or other urban land use development on a substantial scale within the next 3 years. The department may waive these requirements to the extent that water, terrain or geography prevents the development.
66.0207(2)
(2) In addition to complying with each of the applicable standards set forth in
sub. (1) and
s. 66.0205 in order to be approved for referendum, a proposed incorporation must be in the public interest as determined by the department upon consideration of the following:
66.0207(2)(a)
(a)
Tax revenue. The present and potential sources of tax revenue appear sufficient to defray the anticipated cost of governmental services at a local tax rate which compares favorably with the tax rate in a similar area for the same level of services.
66.0207(2)(b)
(b)
Level of services. The level of governmental services desired or needed by the residents of the territory compared to the level of services offered by the proposed village or city and the level available from a contiguous municipality which files a certified copy of a resolution as provided in
s. 66.0203 (6).
66.0207(2)(c)
(c)
Impact on the remainder of the town. The impact, financial and otherwise, upon the remainder of the town from which the territory is to be incorporated.
66.0207(2)(d)
(d)
Impact on the metropolitan community. The effect upon the future rendering of governmental services both inside the territory proposed for incorporation and elsewhere within the metropolitan community. There shall be an express finding that the proposed incorporation will not substantially hinder the solution of governmental problems affecting the metropolitan community.
66.0207 History
History: 1977 c. 29;
1983 a. 189 s.
329 (14);
1985 a. 297 s.
76;
1999 a. 150 s.
38; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0207.
66.0207 Annotation
The delegation of legislative power under sub. (2) (d) is constitutional. Westring v. James,
71 Wis. 2d 462,
238 N.W.2d 695 (1976).
66.0207 Annotation
Incorporation of a town in a metropolitan area is discussed. Pleasant Prairie v. Department of Local Affairs and Development,
113 Wis. 2d 327,
334 N.W.2d 893 (1983).
66.0207 Annotation
That the department approved annexations that helped create fragmented town borders did not render arbitrary and capricious the department's determination that the town's proposed incorporation did not meet the requirement of homogeneity and compactness. Incorporation of the Town of Pewaukee,
186 Wis. 2d 515,
521 N.W.2d 453 (Ct. App. 1994).
66.0207 Annotation
Whether incorporation would benefit the proposed village area is not the standard for allowing incorporation. An area must meet all the requirements of subs. (1) and (2). Walag v. DOA, 2001 WI App 217,
247 Wis. 2d 850,
634 N.W.2d 906.
66.0209
66.0209
Review of incorporation-related orders and decisions. 66.0209(3)
(3) Where a proceeding for judicial review is commenced under
sub. (2), appeal under
sub. (1) may not be taken and the time in which the appeal may be taken does not commence to run until judgment is entered in the proceeding for judicial review.
66.0209(4)
(4) An incorporation referendum ordered by the circuit court under
s. 66.0203 (9) (f) may not be stayed pending the outcome of further litigation, unless the court of appeals or the supreme court, upon an appeal or upon the filing of an original action in the supreme court, concludes that a strong probability exists that the order of the circuit court or the decision of the department will be set aside.
66.0209 History
History: 1977 c. 29,
187; Sup. Ct. Order, 146 Wis. 2d xiii (1988);
1999 a. 150 s.
39; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0209;
2001 a. 103.
66.0209 Annotation
When a petition to incorporate is dismissed due to DOA disapproval, sub. (2) prevents appellate court review prior to judicial review under ch. 227. Petition to Incorporate Powers Lake Village,
171 Wis. 2d 659,
492 N.W.2d 342 (Ct. App. 1992).
66.0211
66.0211
Incorporation referendum procedure. 66.0211(1)
(1)
Order. The circuit court's order for an incorporation referendum shall specify the voting place and the date of the referendum, which shall be not less than 6 weeks from the date of the order, and name 3 inspectors of election. If the order is for a city incorporation referendum the order shall further specify that 7 alderpersons shall be elected at large from the proposed city. The city council at its first meeting shall determine the number and boundaries of wards in compliance with
s. 5.15 (1) and
(2), and the combination of wards into aldermanic districts. The number of alderpersons per aldermanic district shall be determined by charter ordinance.
66.0211(2)
(2) Notice of referendum. Notice of the referendum shall be given by publication of the order of the circuit court in a newspaper having general circulation in the territory. Publication shall be once a week for 4 successive weeks. The first publication may not be more than 4 weeks before the referendum.
66.0211(3)
(3) Return. An incorporation referendum shall be conducted in the same manner as an annexation referendum under
s. 66.0217 (7) to the extent applicable except that the ballot shall contain the words "For a city [village]" and "Against a city [village]". The inspectors shall make a return to the circuit court.
66.0211(4)
(4) Costs. If the referendum is against incorporation, the costs of the election shall be borne by the towns involved in the proportion that the number of electors of each town within the territory proposed to be incorporated, voting in the referendum, bears to the total number of electors in the territory voting in the referendum. If the referendum is for a village or city, the costs shall be charged against the municipality in the apportionment of town assets.
66.0211(5)
(5) Certification of incorporation. If a majority of the votes in an incorporation referendum are cast in favor of a village or city, the clerk of the circuit court shall certify the fact to the secretary of state and supply the secretary of state with a copy of a description of the legal boundaries of the village or city and the associated population and a copy of a plat of the village or city. Within 10 days of receipt of the description and plat, the secretary of state shall forward 2 copies to the department of transportation and one copy each to the department of administration, the department of revenue and the department of commerce. The secretary of state shall issue a certificate of incorporation and record the certificate.
66.0211 Annotation
A referendum is effective immediately if the majority of votes are for incorporation. 70 Atty. Gen. 128.
66.0213
66.0213
Powers of new village or city: elections; adjustment of taxes; reorganization as village. 66.0213(1)
(1)
Village or city powers. A village or city incorporated under
ss. 66.0201 to
66.0213 is a body corporate and politic, with powers and privileges of a municipal corporation at common law and conferred by these statutes.
66.0213(2)(a)(a) Ordinances in force in the territory incorporated or any part of the territory, to the extent not inconsistent with
chs. 61 and
62, continue in force until altered or repealed.
66.0213(2)(b)
(b) A county shoreland zoning ordinance enacted under
s. 59.692 that is in force in any part of the territory continues in force until altered under
s. 59.692 (7) (ad).
66.0213(3)
(3) Interim officers. All officers of the village or town embracing the territory that is incorporated as a village or city continue in their powers and duties until the first meeting of the board of trustees or common council at which a quorum is present. Until a village or city clerk is chosen and qualified all oaths of office and other papers shall be filed with the circuit court with which the petition was filed. The court shall deliver the oaths and other papers with the petition to the village or city clerk when that clerk qualifies.
66.0213(4)(a)(a) Within 10 days after incorporation of the village or city, the clerk of the circuit court with whom the petition was filed shall fix a time for the first election, and where appropriate designate the polling place or places, and name 3 inspectors of election for each place. The time for the election shall be fixed no less than 40 nor more than 50 days after the date of the certificate of incorporation issued by the secretary of state, irrespective of any other provision in the statutes. Nomination papers shall conform to
ch. 8 to the extent applicable. Nomination papers shall be signed by not less than 5% nor more than 10% of the total votes cast at the referendum election, and be filed no later than 15 days before the time fixed for the election. Ten days' previous notice of the election shall be given by the clerk of the circuit court by publication in the newspapers selected under
s. 66.0211 (2) and by posting notices in 3 public places in the village or city, but failure to give notice does not invalidate the election.
66.0213(4)(b)
(b) The election shall be conducted as prescribed by
ch. 6, except that no registration of voters may be required. The inspectors shall make returns to the clerk of the circuit court who shall, within one week after the election, canvass the returns and declare the result. The clerk shall notify the officers-elect and issue certificates of election. If the first election is on the first Tuesday in April the officers elected and their appointees shall commence and hold their offices as for a regular term. Otherwise they shall commence within 10 days and hold their offices until the regular village or city election and the qualification of their successors and the terms of their appointees expire as soon as successors qualify.
66.0213(5)
(5) Taxes levied before incorporation; how collected and divided. If a village or city is incorporated after the assessment of taxes in any year and before the collection of the taxes, the tax assessed shall be collected by the town treasurer of the town or the town treasurers of the different towns of which the village or city formerly constituted a part, and all moneys collected from the tax levied for town purposes shall be divided between the village or city and the town or the towns, as provided by
s. 66.0235 (13) (a) 1., for the division of property owned jointly by towns and villages.
66.0213(6)
(6) Reorganization of city as village. If the population of any city falls below 1,000 as determined by the United States census, the council may upon filing of a petition conforming to the requirements of
s. 8.40 containing the signatures of at least 15% of the electors submit at any general or city election the question whether the city shall reorganize as a village. If three-fifths of the votes cast on the question are for reorganization the mayor and council shall record the return in the office of the register of deeds, file a certified copy with the clerk of the circuit court, and immediately call an election, to be conducted as are village elections, for the election of village officers. Upon the qualification of the officers, the board of trustees shall declare the city reorganized as a village, and the reorganization is effective. The clerk shall certify a copy of the declaration to the secretary of state who shall file the declaration and endorse a memorandum of the declaration on the record of the certificate of incorporation of the city. Rights and liabilities of the city continue in favor of or against the village. Ordinances, so far as within the power of the village, remain in force until changed.
66.0215
66.0215
Incorporation of certain towns adjacent to 1st class cities.
