63.40
63.40
Special expert class. 63.40(1)
(1) There is hereby created a new division of the classified service to be known as the special expert class. The board of city service commissioners shall place in this class all positions of a technical, scientific, or professional character, together with all positions where the qualifications are peculiar to the service in any department of the city government, and may in addition thereto temporarily classify as of the special expert class positions where the service is new and experimental in character.
63.40(2)
(2) The provisions of
ss. 63.18 to
63.53 now governing selections, appointments, promotions, reinstatements, removals, transfers or other changes, shall apply to the special expert class, except as may be otherwise provided in this section.
63.40(3)
(3) For the filling of positions in the special expert class the appointing officer shall be free to suggest names of persons for consideration in examination together with all other applicants and all other persons whose names have been suggested to the board of city service commissioners, and the board shall inquire into the fitness of persons so nominated and may notify such persons and any other suitable person to participate in the examination.
63.40(4)
(4) Previous to an examination to fill a position in the special expert class, the board of city service commissioners may provide in its published announcement that the resulting eligible list shall expire as soon as an appointment has been made therefrom, providing the appointing officer so desires. When an appointing officer makes objection in writing to names of persons in the special expert class, certified from an eligible list not especially appropriate for the position or group of positions in question, such certification shall be invalid.
63.40(5)
(5) The appointing officer shall in all cases be consulted as to qualifications and requirements, examination standards, and procedure for filling positions in the special expert class.
63.40(6)
(6) In filling positions in the special expert class the board of city service commissioners shall select a board of one or more experts to conduct the examination when requested in writing to do so by an appointing officer.
63.40(7)
(7) Whenever the board of city service commissioners or the officer having the power of appointment shall deem it advisable in the interests of the service, no qualifications as to residence or citizenship shall be imposed in the examination for a position in the special expert class. Any restrictions contained in any law, or in any charter of any city of the first class inconsistent with this provision shall not be applicable in such case.
63.40 History
History: 1979 c. 89.
63.41
63.41
Vacancies in special cases, how filled. In case of a vacancy in a position, requiring peculiar and exceptional qualifications of a scientific, technical or professional character, upon satisfactory evidence that competition is impracticable and that the position can be best filled by the selection of some designated person of recognized attainments, the commission may, after public hearing, by the affirmative vote of at least 4 commissioners, suspend competition, but no such suspension shall be general in its application to such position and all such cases of suspension shall be reported, together with the reason therefor, in the annual reports of the commission.
63.42
63.42
Notice to commissioners of all appointments, and of all offices abandoned. Immediate notice in writing shall be given by the appointing power to the board of city service commissioners of all appointments, permanent or temporary, made under
ss. 63.18 to
63.53 and the rules made and established under
ss. 63.18 to
63.53, in those branches or departments of the civil service of such city which are subject to
ss. 63.18 to
63.53 and the rules of the board, and of all transfers, promotions, resignations, other changes or vacancies from any cause in such branches or departments of the city service, and of the date thereof, and a record of the same shall be kept by the board. When any office or place of employment, subject to such rules, is created or abolished, or the compensation attached thereto is altered, the officer or board making such change shall immediately report the same in writing to the board of commissioners.
63.42 History
History: 1979 c. 89.
63.43
63.43
Removals for just cause only; reasons to be furnished in writing; hearings; decisions. 63.43(1)
(1) No person or employee holding an office or position classified and graded under
ss. 63.18 to
63.53 shall be removed, discharged or reduced, except for just cause which shall not be political or religious. A person removed, discharged or reduced shall be furnished, by the officer making the removal, with the reasons in writing, for such action when demanded by the removed, discharged or reduced person. When reasons are given by the officer making the removal, a copy of the same shall be immediately forwarded to the commission. Within 3 days after such removal, discharge or reduction an appeal may be made to the commission in writing, by the employee so removed, discharged or reduced. The commission, on receiving the notice of appeal, shall set a date for a hearing on or investigation of the reasons for the removal, discharge or reduction, which date shall not be more than 30 days after the date of removal, discharge or reduction. Notice of the time and place of the hearing or investigation shall be served upon the employee appealing, in the same manner that a summons is served in this state. Notice shall also be given the officer making the removal. The city service commission, or board or committee of the board or boards appointed by the commission, shall conduct the hearing or investigation. The employee appealing shall have full opportunity to be heard and may, at the discretion of the commission, be represented by counsel. When the employee is represented by counsel, the officer making the removal, discharge or reduction may be represented by the city attorney. If, however, the officer chooses to be represented by counsel other than the city attorney, the officer may so do, but any expense so incurred shall not be paid by the city. In the course of a hearing or investigation as provided in this section, any member of the commission and of any board or committee appointed by it, may administer oaths and may secure by its subpoena both the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and papers relevant to the hearing or investigation. All evidence may, on the order of the board, be taken by a competent reporter.
63.43(2)
(2) The decision and findings of the commission, or of the investigating board or committee, when approved by the commission, shall be final and shall be filed, in writing, with the secretary of the board and shall be forthwith certified to and enforced by the head of the department or appointing officer. Nothing in
ss. 63.18 to
63.53 shall limit the power of an officer to suspend a subordinate for a reasonable period not exceeding 15 days. In case an employee is again suspended within 6 months for any period whatever, the employee so suspended shall have the right of hearing or investigation by the commission on the second suspension or any subsequent suspension within the period, the same as provided in this section.
63.43(3)
(3) If such city and a labor organization representing employees of the city enter into a collective bargaining agreement under
subch. IV of ch. 111, the agreement may provide that the provisions of that agreement relating to removal, discharge, suspension and reduction shall supersede this section with respect to employees covered by the agreement while the agreement is in effect. This subsection does not apply to any action under
sub. (1) to suspend an employee with pay.
63.43 History
History: 1979 c. 89;
1987 a. 153.
63.43 Annotation
Section 63.43 creates a property interest in employment, but not to continuous employment free from suspension. Listenbee v. City of Milwaukee,
976 F.2d 348 (1992).
63.44
63.44
Provisions for removals not to apply to certain departments. Section 63.43 shall not apply to removals of persons in any department of the city where the department is under the supervision and control of a board or commission of 3 or more members, but every such board or commission shall establish rules relating to the removal, discharge or reduction of employees in its department. No such employee shall be removed, discharged or reduced for religious or political reasons and any removed, discharged or reduced employee shall have the right to a trial and determination by the board or commission, or by a committee duly appointed by the board or commission as to whether there existed sufficient grounds for removal, discharge or reduction and the determination of the board or commission, or of the committee when approved by the board or commission, shall be final in the matter. The right of suspension is granted boards and commissions included under this section the same as is elsewhere provided for in
ss. 63.18 to
63.53.
63.44 History
History: 1979 c. 89.
63.45
63.45
No payments approved or made of salary in the classified service except as provided. No treasurer, auditor, comptroller, other officer or employee of the city in which
ss. 63.18 to
63.53 are effective shall approve the payment of or be in any manner concerned in paying, auditing or approving any salary, wage or other compensation for services, to any person in the classified service unless a payroll, estimate, or account for such salary, wage or other compensation, containing the names of persons to be paid, a statement of the amount to be paid each such person, the services on account of which the same is paid, bears the certificate of the commission that the persons named in such payroll, estimate, or account have been appointed or employed in pursuance of and have complied with
ss. 63.18 to
63.53 and with the rules of the commission, and that the rate of salary or wage is in accordance with the rate established by the proper authorities. The commission shall refuse to certify the pay of any public officer or employee who shall willfully or through culpable negligence violate or fail to comply with
ss. 63.18 to
63.53 or the rules of the commission. The city service commission shall certify to the city comptroller all appointments to offices and places in the office of the city service commission and all changes or vacancies that may occur therein.
63.45 History
History: 1979 c. 89.
63.49
63.49
No promotion or demotion for making or refusing political contributions. No officer or employee of such city shall discharge, or degrade, or promote, or in any manner change the official rank or compensation of any other officer or employee, or promise or threaten to do so for giving or withholding any contribution of money or other valuable thing for any party or political purpose, or for refusal or neglect to render any party or political service.
63.50
63.50
Use of money prohibited. No applicant for appointment in such official service, either directly or indirectly, shall pay or promise to pay any money or other valuable thing to any person whomsoever, for or on account of the applicant's appointment or proposed appointment, and no officer or employee shall pay or promise to pay, either directly or indirectly, to any person any money or other valuable thing whatsoever for or on account of the officer's or employee's promotion.
63.50 History
History: 1991 a. 316.
63.51
63.51
The improper use or promise of political influence forbidden. No person while holding any office in the government of such city, or any nomination for, or while seeking a nomination for appointment to any such office, shall corruptly use, or promise to use, either directly or indirectly, any official authority or influence in the way of conferring upon any person, or in order to secure or aid any person in securing, any office or public employment or any nomination, confirmation, promotion or increase in salary, upon the consideration or condition that the vote or political influence or action of the last named person or any other shall be given or used in behalf of any candidate, officer or party, or upon any other corrupt condition or consideration.
63.52
63.52
Violations, city civil service; vacates office; disqualification; prosecution. 63.52(1)
(1) Any person who willfully, or through culpable negligence, violates any provision of
ss. 63.18 to
63.51, or any rule promulgated in accordance with the provisions thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than $50, and not exceeding $1,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding 6 months, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.
63.52(2)
(2) If any person is convicted under this section, any public office which such person holds shall, by force of such conviction, be rendered vacant, and such person shall be incapable of holding office for the period of 5 years from the date of such conviction.
63.52(3)
(3) Prosecution for violations of
ss. 63.18 to
63.51 may be instituted either by the attorney general, the district attorney for the county in which the offense is alleged to have been committed, or by the board of city service commissioners acting through special counsel. Such prosecutions shall be conducted and controlled by the prosecuting officers who institute them, unless they request the aid of other prosecuting officers.
63.53
63.53
Board of school directors employees. 63.53(1)
(1) Except as provided under
sub. (2), all officers and employees of the board of school directors of any 1st class city are members of the classified service and shall be selected and have their tenure and employment status determined in accordance with
ss. 63.18 to
63.51, the rules adopted under
ss. 63.18 to
63.51 and the charter ordinances applying to the board of city service commissioners of the city.
63.53(2)
(2) The following employees are not members of the classified service: the superintendent of schools, deputy superintendent of schools, associate superintendent of schools, executive assistant to the superintendent of schools, assistant to the superintendent of schools, assistant superintendent, division director, department director, principals, teachers and substitute teachers actually engaged in teaching, staff of the board of school directors if the board so decides under
s. 119.18 (10) (c), and, in any department of the school board devoted wholly or principally to the subjects of municipal recreation and adult education, all employees of those departments whose duties are peculiar to municipal recreation and adult education but not including employees whose duties are clerical or custodial.
