62.09(12)(e)
(e) The attorney shall examine the tax and assessment rolls and other tax proceedings, and advise the proper city officers in regard thereto.
62.09(12)(f)
(f) The attorney may appoint an assistant, who shall have power to perform the attorney's duties and for whose acts the attorney shall be responsible to the city. Such assistant shall receive no compensation from the city, unless previously provided by ordinance.
62.09(12)(g)
(g) The council may employ and compensate special counsel to assist in or take charge of any matter in which the city is interested.
62.09(13)(a)(a) The chief of police shall have command of the police force of the city under the direction of the mayor. The chief shall obey all lawful written orders of the mayor or common council. The chief and each police officer shall possess the powers, enjoy the privileges and be subject to the liabilities conferred and imposed by law upon constables, and be taken as included in all writs and papers addressed to constables; shall arrest with or without process and with reasonable diligence take before the municipal judge or other proper court every person found in the city engaged in any disturbance of the peace or violating any law of the state or ordinance of the city and may command all persons present in that case to assist, and if any person, being so commanded, refuses or neglects to render assistance the person shall forfeit not exceeding $10. They shall collect the same fees prescribed for sheriffs in
s. 814.70 for similar services, unless a higher fee is applicable under
s. 814.705 (1) (b).
62.09(13)(b)
(b) The chief of police shall have charge of all city jails, including that portion of any jail which is used by the city in a joint city-county building.
62.09(13)(c)
(c) Every officer in charge of a jail shall keep a record concerning each person placed in the jail, including the person's name, residence and description, the time and cause of the person's confinement, and the authority under which the person was confined; and when any person is released, the time of and the authority for such release.
62.09(13)(d)
(d) The personnel required to comply with
ss. 302.41 and
302.42 shall be provided at the expense of the municipality.
62.09(15)
(15) Constables. A constable shall keep his or her office in the city. No constable who keeps his or her office outside the limits of the city may receive fees for any service performed during the period the outside office is maintained.
62.09 History
History: 1971 c. 154,
175;
1971 c. 304 s.
29 (1);
1973 c. 90,
243;
1975 c. 21,
39,
41,
199,
258;
1975 c. 375 s.
44;
1975 c. 421;
1977 c. 29,
151;
1977 c. 305 s.
64;
1979 c. 34,
221,
251;
1981 c. 20,
317;
1983 a. 189 s.
329 (21);
1983 a. 210,
395;
1983 a. 532 ss.
10,
14;
1985 a. 29,
39;
1985 a. 135 s.
83 (5);
1985 a. 225;
1987 a. 27,
181,
378;
1989 a. 31,
56,
113;
1991 a. 39,
316;
1993 a. 27,
184,
490;
1995 a. 225;
1997 a. 27,
257;
1999 a. 32;
1999 a. 150 s.
299,
672;
2001 a. 16;
2003 a. 47,
204;
2005 a. 40;
2009 a. 3,
173.
62.09 Note
NOTE: 2003 Wis. Act 47, which affects this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.
62.09 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See s.
196.675, which provides that a city attorney may not be employed by common carrier or public utility.
62.09 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See s.
66.0609 for an alternative system of approving claims under sub. (10).
62.09 Annotation
A mayor may not veto council action or inaction on public works contracts. Sturzl Construction Co., Inc. v. City of Green Bay,
88 Wis. 2d 403,
276 N.W.2d 771 (1979).
62.09 Annotation
Conflicts arising from the election of a school principal to the office of alderperson are discussed. 60 Atty. Gen. 367.
62.09 Annotation
Alderperson and police officer spouses can continue to hold offices as long as the alderperson does not violate s. 946.13 (1) with respect to the police officer's contract. 63 Atty. Gen. 43.
62.09 Annotation
A mayor in a city with a police and fire commission does not have the authority to order a police chief to reinstate a discharged probationary police officer.
81 Atty. Gen. 1.
62.09 Annotation
When no provision fixes the term of appointive officers, such as a city treasurer, the term is limited to that of the appointing authority; removal by a successor does not implicate a due process property interest. Wolf v. City of Fitchburg,
870 F.2d 1327 (1989).
62.09 Annotation
Police accountability in Wisconsin. 1974 WLR 1131.
62.11
62.11
Common council. 62.11(1)(1)
How constituted. The mayor and alderpersons shall be the common council. The mayor shall not be counted in determining whether a quorum is present at a meeting, but may vote in case of a tie. When the mayor does vote in case of a tie the mayor's vote shall be counted in determining whether a sufficient number of the council has voted favorably or unfavorably on any measure.
62.11(2)
(2) Time of meeting. The council shall meet at least once a month, and on the first Tuesday unless a different day be fixed by the council. More frequent regular meetings may be established by the council, and the mayor may call a special meeting by written notice delivered personally to each member or left at the member's usual abode at least 6 hours before the meeting. Following a regular city election the new council shall first meet on the 3rd Tuesday of April.
62.11(3)(a)(a) The council shall be the judge of the election and qualification of its members, may compel their attendance, and may fine or expel for neglect of duty.
62.11(3)(b)
(b) Two-thirds of the members shall be a quorum, except that in cities having not more than 5 alderpersons a majority shall be a quorum. A less number may compel the attendance of absent members and adjourn. A majority of all the members shall be necessary to a confirmation. In case of a tie the mayor shall have a casting vote as in other cases.
62.11(3)(c)
(c) Meetings shall be open to the public; and the council may punish by fine members or other persons present for disorderly behavior.
62.11(3)(d)
(d) The ayes and noes may be required by any member. On confirmation and on the adoption of any measure assessing or levying taxes, appropriating or disbursing money, or creating any liability or charge against the city or any fund thereof, the vote shall be by ayes and noes. All aye and nay votes shall be recorded in the journal.
62.11(3)(e)
(e) The council shall in all other respects determine the rules of its procedure.
62.11(3)(f)
(f) The style of all ordinances shall be: "The common council of the city of .... do ordain as follows".
62.11(4)(a)(a) Proceedings of the council shall be published in the newspaper designated under
s. 985.06 as a class 1 notice, under
ch. 985. The proceedings for the purpose of publication shall include the substance of every official action taken by the governing body. Except as provided in this subsection every ordinance shall be published either in its entirety, as a class 1 notice, under
ch. 985, or as a notice, as described under
par. (c) 2., within 15 days of passage, and shall take effect on the day after the publication or at a later date if expressly prescribed.
62.11(4)(b)
(b) All ordinances passed by the governing body of any city of the second class between January 1, 1914, and January 1, 1924, which were or may have been required to be published before becoming effective, but which were not published, shall be valid to the same extent as if they had been published in the first instance, as required by law, providing said ordinances and all amendments thereto are printed in the official journal of any such body together with the record of the passage of the same; however, the provisions of this paragraph shall not be effective in any city unless the governing body thereof shall so elect by a vote of two-thirds of its members.
62.11(4)(c)2.
2. A notice of an ordinance that may be published under this paragraph shall be published as a class 1 notice under
ch. 985 and shall contain at least all of the following:
62.11(4)(c)2.c.
c. A summary of the subject matter and main points of the ordinance.
62.11(4)(c)2.d.
d. Information as to where the full text of the ordinance may be obtained, including the phone number of the city clerk, a street address where the full text of the ordinance may be viewed, and a Web site, if any, at which the ordinance may be accessed.
62.11(5)
(5) Powers. Except as elsewhere in the statutes specifically provided, the council shall have the management and control of the city property, finances, highways, navigable waters, and the public service, and shall have power to act for the government and good order of the city, for its commercial benefit, and for the health, safety, and welfare of the public, and may carry out its powers by license, regulation, suppression, borrowing of money, tax levy, appropriation, fine, imprisonment, confiscation, and other necessary or convenient means. The powers hereby conferred shall be in addition to all other grants, and shall be limited only by express language.
62.11 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See s.
118.105 for control of traffic on school premises.
62.11 Annotation
When a municipality's power to contract is improperly or irregularly exercised and the municipality receives benefit under the contract, it is estopped from asserting the invalidity of the contract. Village of McFarland v. Town of Dunn,
82 Wis. 2d 469,
263 N.W.2d 167 (1978).
62.11 Annotation
Madison's power to forbid chemical treatment of Madison lakes was withdrawn by s. 144.025 (2) (i) [now 281.17 (2)]. Wisconsin Environmental Decade, Inc. v. DNR,
85 Wis. 2d 518,
271 N.W.2d 69 (1978).
62.11 Annotation
When a city council creates a governing board for a utility under s. 66.068 (1) [now 66.0805 (1)], the council is prohibited by s. 66.068 (3) [now 66.0805 (3)] from fixing wages for utility employees. Schroeder v. City of Clintonville,
90 Wis. 2d 457,
280 N.W.2d 166 (1979).
62.11 Annotation
Sub. (5) authorizes an ordinance regulating massage parlors. City of Madison v. Schultz,
98 Wis. 2d 188,
295 N.W.2d 798 (Ct. App. 1980).
62.11 Annotation
The common council and mayor properly limited the power of the police and fire commission to promote police officers. State ex rel. Wilson v. Schocker,
142 Wis. 2d 179,
418 N.W.2d 8 (Ct. App. 1987).
62.11 Annotation
Liberally construing home rule authority, a city is not authorized to institute a public safety officer program. Local Union No. 487 v. Eau Claire,
147 Wis. 2d 519,
433 N.W.2d 578 (1989).
62.11 Annotation
The power granted under sub. (5) is broader than that granted under Art. XI, s. 3. Sub. (5) does not limit a city's authority to act only in local affairs. A city may act in matters of state-wide concern if the conditions of the 4-part test stated in this case are met. DeRosso Landfill Co. v. City of Oak Creek,
191 Wis. 2d 46,
528 N.W.2d 468 (Ct. App. 1995).
62.11 Annotation
The state regulatory scheme for tobacco sales preempts municipalities from adopting regulations that are not in strict conformity with those of the state. U.S. Oil, Inc. v. City of Fond du Lac,
199 Wis. 2d 333,
544 N.W.2d 589 (Ct. App. 1995),
95-0213.
62.11 Annotation
One who deals with a municipality does so at his or her own risk and may be subject to any provisions of law that might prevent him or her from being paid by a municipality even though the services are rendered. Unless the power to bind the municipality financially has been specifically delegated, the only entity with the statutory authority to contract is the municipality. Holzbauer v. Safway Steel Products, Inc. 2005 WI App 240,
288 Wis. 2d 250,
712 N.W.2d 35,
04-2058.
62.11 Annotation
A city probably can contract with a county to provide fire protection to a county institution located outside of boundaries of the city. 62 Atty. Gen. 84.
62.11 Annotation
A municipality has no jurisdiction over chemical treatment of waters to suppress aquatic nuisances. The department of natural resources is granted statewide supervision over aquatic nuisance control under s. 144.025 (2) (i) [now 281.17 (2)]. Applications for permits to chemically treat aquatic nuisances under s. 144.025 (2) (i) may be denied even though statutory and regulatory requirements have been met if the chemical treatment would be counter-productive in achieving the goals set out in s. 144.025 (1) [now 281.11]. 63 Atty. Gen. 260.
62.11 Annotation
Local units of government may not create and accumulate unappropriated surplus funds. However, a local unit of government may maintain reasonable amounts necessary in the exercise of sound business principles to meet the immediate cash flow needs of the municipality during the current budgetary period or to accumulate needed capital in non-lapsing funds to finance specifically identified future capital expenditures.
76 Atty. Gen. 77.
62.11 Annotation
Article VIII, section 5 restricts the state from levying taxes to create a surplus having no public purpose. Although the constitutional provision does not apply directly to municipalities, the same limitation applies indirectly to them because the state cannot delegate more power than it has.
76 Atty. Gen. 77.
62.11 Annotation
Conflicts between state statute and local ordinance in Wisconsin. 1975 WLR 840.
62.11 Annotation
Madison's Minimum-Wage Ordinance, Section 104.001, and the Future of Home Rule in Wisconsin. Burchill. 2007 WLR 151.
62.115
62.115
Defense of officers by city attorney. 62.115(1)
(1) The common council of any city, however incorporated, may by ordinance or resolution authorize the city attorney to defend actions brought against any officer or employee of such city or of any board or commission thereof, growing out of any acts done in the course of employment, or out of any alleged breach of duty as such officer or employee, excepting actions brought to determine the right of such officer or employee to hold or retain that person's office or position, and excepting also actions brought by such city against any officer or employee thereof.
62.115(2)
(2) Nothing in this section contained, nor any action taken by any city or by any city attorney pursuant to the provisions of this section, shall be construed to impose any liability, either for costs, damages or otherwise, upon such city or city attorney.
62.115 History
History: 1991 a. 316.
62.12(1)(1)
Fiscal year. The calendar year shall be the fiscal year.
62.12(2)
(2) Budget. Annually on or before October 1, each officer or department shall file with the city clerk an itemized statement of disbursements made to carry out the powers and duties of the officer or department during the preceding fiscal year, a detailed statement of the receipts and disbursements on account of any special fund under the supervision of the officer or department during the year and of the condition and management of the fund and detailed estimates of the same matters for the current fiscal year and for the ensuing fiscal year.
62.12(3)
(3) Accounting. The city treasurer shall keep separate all special funds, and the city clerk shall keep a separate account with the general fund for each officer or department through which disbursements are made from the general fund to carry out the powers and duties of such officer or department. The council shall examine and adjust the accounts of the clerk, treasurer and all other officers or agents of the city after the same shall have been audited by the comptroller.
62.12(5)
(5) License moneys. Moneys received for licenses may be used for such purpose as the council shall direct in the absence of specific appropriation by law.
62.12(6)
(6) Funds; appropriations; debts. 62.12(6)(a)(a) Unless otherwise provided by law city funds shall be paid out only by authority of the council. Such payment shall be made in the manner provided by
s. 66.0607.
62.12(6)(b)
(b) The council shall not appropriate nor the treasurer pay out:
62.12(6)(b)1.
1. Funds appropriated by law to a special purpose except for that purpose;
62.12(6)(b)2.
2. Funds for any purpose not authorized by the statutes; nor
62.12(6)(b)3.
3. Funds from any fund in excess of the moneys therein.
62.12(6)(c)
(c) No debt shall be contracted against the city nor evidence thereof given unless authorized by a majority vote of all the members of the council.
62.12(7)
(7) City depositories. The council shall designate the public depository or depositories within this state with which city funds shall be deposited, and when the money is deposited in such depository in the name of the city, the treasurer and bondsmen shall not be liable for such losses as are defined by
s. 34.01 (2). The interest arising therefrom shall be paid into the city treasury.
62.12(8)(a)(a) All claims and demands against the city shall be itemized and filed with the clerk, who shall deliver the same to the comptroller for examination. The comptroller shall within 30 days thereafter examine such claim or demand and return the same to the clerk with the comptroller's report thereon in writing, who shall place the same before the council for action at its next meeting.
62.12(8)(b)
(b) Payment of regular wages or salary pursuant to the budget and salary schedule adopted by the council may be by payroll, verified by the proper official, and filed in time for payment on the regular pay day.
62.12(9)
(9) Loans. The council may loan money to any school district located within the city, or within which the city is wholly or partially located, in such sums as are needed by such district to meet the immediate expenses of operating the schools thereof, and the board of the district may borrow money from such city accordingly and give its note therefor. No such loan shall be made to extend beyond August 30 next following the making thereof or in an amount exceeding one-half of the estimated receipts for such district as certified by the state superintendent of public instruction and the local school clerk. The rate of interest on any such loan shall be determined by the city council.
62.12 History
History: 1973 c. 90,
333;
1975 c. 39,
80,
180,
224,
353,
421;
1977 c. 113 ss.
3,
6;
1977 c. 142;
1977 c. 203 s.
101;
1977 c. 272,
418;
1979 c. 34;
1979 c. 175 s.
51;
1981 c. 20,
61,
93;
1983 a. 27;
1983 a. 189 s.
329 (17), (21);
1985 a. 29,
225;
1991 a. 316;
1995 a. 27,
225;
1997 a. 27;
1999 a. 150 s.
672.
62.12 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See ss.
62.25 and
893.80 for actions upon claims.
62.12 Annotation
See s. 66.0609 for an alternative system of approving claims.
62.12 Annotation
Local government units cannot include the value of tax-exempt manufacturing machinery and specific processing equipment and tax exempt merchants' stock-in-trade, manufacturers' materials and finished products, and livestock in their property valuation totals for non-tax purposes, such as for municipal debt ceilings, tax levy limitations, shared tax distributions, and school aid payments. 63 Atty. Gen. 465.
62.13
62.13
Police and fire departments. 62.13(1)
(1)
Commissioners. Except as provided in
subs. (2g),
(2m),
(2s), and
(8) (b) each city shall have a board of police and fire commissioners consisting of 5 citizens, 3 of whom shall constitute a quorum. The mayor shall annually, between the last Monday of April and the first Monday of May, appoint in writing to be filed with the secretary of the board, one member for a term of 5 years. No appointment shall be made which will result in more than 3 members of the board belonging to the same political party. The board shall keep a record of its proceedings.
62.13(2)(a)(a) Except as provided under
sub. (6m),
subs. (1) to
(6) shall not apply to cities of less than 4,000 population except by ordinance adopted by a majority of all the members of the council. A repealing ordinance may be adopted by a like vote.
62.13(2)(b)
(b) A city that creates a joint police or fire department with a village under
s. 61.65 is not required to create a separate board of police and fire commissioners under this section. The city shall create a joint board of commissioners to govern the joint department, as required in
s. 61.65. If the city also creates one separate protective services department in addition to the joint protective services department, the city shall create a separate board of commissioners to govern that department. A city's joint board of commissioners is subject to
s. 61.65 (3g) (d). A city's separate board of commissioners is subject to this section.
62.13(2g)
(2g) Contracting for police protective services. A city may enter into a contract for police protective services with a village, a town, another city, or a county. A city that contracts for police protective services shall pay the full cost of services provided. A city that contracts for all of its police protective services under this subsection and for all of its fire protective services under
sub. (8) (b) is not required to have a board of police and fire commissioners. A city that contracts for all of its police protective services under this subsection, but not for all of its fire protective services under
sub. (8) (b), shall have a board of police and fire commissioners under this section, but the board may only address issues related to the fire department. A city may not contract with a county to provide all of the city's police protective services under this subsection.
62.13(2m)
(2m) Joint departments, contract services.
