59.61(2)(b)
(b) In addition to the depositories specified in
par. (a), the local government pooled-investment fund may be designated as a depository for investment purposes.
59.61(3)
(3) Funds to be placed in depositories; reports; cash balance. 59.61(3)(a)(a) Whenever a board has designated a county depository under
sub. (2), the treasurer shall deposit therein as soon as received all funds that come to the treasurer's hands in that capacity in excess of the sum the treasurer is authorized by the board to retain. Any sum on deposit shall be considered to be in the county treasury, and the treasurer shall not be liable for any loss thereon resulting from the failure or default of such depository. The board, a committee of the board designated by it or the treasurer acting under
s. 59.25 (3) (s) may invest any funds that come into the county treasurer's hands in excess of the sum the treasurer is authorized by the board to retain for immediate use in the name of the county in the local government pooled-investment fund, in interest-bearing bonds of the United States or of any county or municipality in the state or in any other investment authorized by statute. The board, committee or the county treasurer acting under
s. 59.25 (3) (s) may sell such securities when considered advisable.
59.61(3)(b)
(b) Every such depository shall on the first business day of each month, and more often when required, file with the clerk a statement of the amount of county money deposited with it during the preceding month, and the treasurer shall at the same time file with such clerk a statement showing the amount of moneys received and disbursed by the treasurer during the previous month.
59.61(3)(c)
(c) The board may fix the amount of money which may be retained by the treasurer but in no case shall the sum exceed $3,000; provided, that in all counties having a population of 200,000 or more inhabitants, the treasurer may retain such sum as may be fixed by the board.
59.61(3)(d)
(d) Such treasurer and clerk, whenever the cash balance does not amount to the sum authorized by the board to be retained, may increase it to such amount by their check on the county depository or depositories in favor of such treasurer.
59.61 History
History: 1995 a. 201 ss.
392,
422,
424,
425.
59.61 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.
59.61 Annotation
Based on the plain meaning of the word "investment," the exchange of surplus county funds for U.S. gold coins would be an investment within the meaning of sub. (3). Section 66.0603 provides the authorized list of investments that a county can make with county funds, and the statute does not authorize an investment in U.S. gold coins.
OAG 2-13.
59.62
59.62
Investment authority delegation. 59.62(1)
(1) The board may delegate to any officer or employee any authority assigned by law to the board to invest county funds. The delegation shall provide that the officer or employee be bonded.
59.62(2)
(2) The board may impose any restriction on the delegation or exercise of authority delegated under this section considered desirable by the board. If the board delegates authority under this section, the board shall periodically review the exercise of the delegated authority by the officer or employee.
59.62 History
History: 1995 a. 201 s.
207.
59.63
59.63
Treasurer's disbursement of revenue. The treasurer may make disbursements of property tax revenues and of credits under
s. 79.10 according to the proportions that are reported under
ss. 60.33 (10m),
61.25 (10) and
62.09 (11) (j).
59.63 History
History: 1983 a. 395;
1985 a. 39 s.
17;
1989 a. 56 s.
259;
1995 a. 201 s.
272; Stats. 1995 s. 59.63.
59.64
59.64
Claims against county. 59.64(1)
(1)
Claims, how made; procedure. 59.64(1)(a)(a)
In general. Every person, except jurors, witnesses and interpreters, and except physicians or other persons who are entitled to receive from the county fees for reporting to the register of deeds births or deaths, which have occurred under their care, having any claim against any county shall comply with
s. 893.80. This paragraph does not apply to actions commenced under
s. 19.37,
19.97 or
281.99.
59.64(1)(b)
(b) Of court officers, certified by district attorney. No claim for official services, in any criminal action or proceeding before a judge, shall be allowed by any board until the same has been examined and a written report made thereon by the district attorney of the proper county as required by
par. (d); nor shall the claim of any sheriff, undersheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or other such officer for the services or expenses of an assistant in making an arrest or commitment be allowed unless the judge before whom the prisoner is brought certifies that there was a necessity for such assistance because of the dangerous character of the defendant or because 2 or more persons were arrested at the same time.
59.64(1)(c)
(c)
Of circuit and supplemental court commissioners. 59.64(1)(c)1.1. Circuit and supplemental court commissioners shall, on or before the first Monday of November in each year, forward to the clerk of their respective counties a correct statement of all actions or proceedings had before them, during the immediately preceding year, in which the county became liable for costs. The statement shall include all of the following:
59.64(1)(c)1.c.
c. The amount of costs in detail in each action or proceeding.
59.64(1)(c)1.d.
d. The items of costs awarded, if any, which have been paid and the amount of each payment.
59.64(1)(c)2.
2. The clerk shall file the statements described in
subd. 1. in his or her office. Any circuit or supplemental court commissioner who neglects to make and return the statements within the time prescribed in
subd. 1. shall not receive any compensation from the county for any service rendered by him or her in any criminal case or proceeding during the year next preceding the time when the statement is required to be made and returned.
59.64(1)(d)
(d) Of court officers; certification; audit by district attorney; waiver. Fees of officers, in any action or proceeding before a circuit or supplemental court commissioner, shall be certified to and allowed by the board in the following manner:
59.64(1)(d)1.
1. At least 10 days before the annual meeting of the board, every circuit and supplemental court commissioner shall make and file with the clerk a certified statement of all actions or proceedings had or tried before him or her within the year next preceding the date of the statement in which the state was a party and in which the county became liable for the fees of officers who appeared on the part of either the state or a defendant. The statement shall include all of the following:
59.64(1)(d)1.c.
c. The names of all officers who actually attended court and gave in a statement of their attendance and travel.
59.64(1)(d)1m.
1m. The statement described in subd. 1 shall be substantially in the following form:
State of Wisconsin
v.
....
In Circuit Court for .... County
Complaint for ....
Before ...., .... Circuit or Supplemental Court Commissioner.
Heard the .... day of ...., ....(year)
To the County Board of .... County:
I hereby certify that in the foregoing entitled action the following named persons rendered services and attended before me in the capacity stated. I further certify that the following named persons are severally entitled to the amounts specified below for services, attendance and travel, that the services were actually and necessarily rendered, and that the action was prosecuted in good faith:
A.B. .... (constable or sheriff), actually and necessarily traveled in serving the .... herein, .... miles, and attended court .... days, and is entitled to $.... for other just and lawful services in the cause, and in all is entitled to $.....
Dated this .... day of ...., .... (year)
59.64(1)(d)2.a.a. The clerk shall deliver the statement filed under
subd. 1. to the district attorney, who shall examine the statement and make a report in writing thereon to the board, specifying the items in each for which the county is or is not liable, and the extent of its liability if it is liable for a part only of any item. The statement and report shall be laid before the board by the clerk and insofar as the items charged in the statement are approved by the district attorney the statement shall be prima facie evidence of the claims of the persons named in the statement.
59.64(1)(d)2.b.
b. The board shall examine the statement, allow the fees that are legal, and direct that orders be drawn for the amount allowed to each person named therein. If any person in whose favor any order is drawn under this subdivision shall not call for the fees within 2 years from the time the claim is allowed, the person's right to any compensation for services shall be considered waived and the board shall cancel the order.
59.64(1)(e)
(e)
Fees for statements and certificates. Every circuit or supplemental court commissioner shall receive from the treasurer $1 per page for making statements and returns required by
par. (c) and $1 for making each certificate required by
par. (d). All such statements and certificates shall be transmitted to the clerk by certified mail and for transmitting the statements and certificates the circuit or supplemental court commissioner shall receive $1.
59.64(1)(f)
(f)
Circuit and supplemental court commissioners. The board at any session thereof may as provided in
par. (d) 2. examine and allow any statement, account or claim of any circuit or supplemental court commissioner which is on file with the clerk before the opening of the session of the board.
59.64(1)(g)
(g) Payment of juror, witness, interpreter, attorney, guardian ad litem and transcript fees; penalty. If a county is liable for juror fees or for witness, interpreter, attorney, guardian ad litem or transcript fees which are on the part of the state or of the defendant in any action or proceeding before a judge of the circuit court or before the medical examiner of the county, the procedure to secure payment of the fees shall be as follows:
59.64(1)(g)1.
1. The clerk of the respective court, the register of probate, or the medical examiner as the case may be shall issue to the person an order directing the treasurer to make payment of the fee. The order shall state the name of the person to whom payable, the time served, the number of miles traveled by the person, and the amount of compensation to which the person is entitled, together with the title of the action in which the person served, the capacity in which the person served and the date or dates of service, or in case of transcript fees, the title of the action and the dates on which the testimony for the transcript was taken.
59.64(1)(g)2.
2. The person to whom the certificate or order is issued shall be required to endorse it prior to receiving payment and thereby indicate that he or she is the person mentioned in the certificate or order, that the number of miles traveled and the capacity in which he or she served and the work which he or she performed is true and correct as stated and that he or she has not at any time received any compensation therefor.
59.64(1)(g)3.
3. Upon presentation of the certificate or order properly signed and endorsed, the treasurer shall pay to the holder, upon surrender of the certificate or order, the amount set forth in the certificate or order, and the order or certificate shall in all other respects be handled by the treasurer in the same manner as all other county orders drawn upon him or her are handled.
59.64(1)(g)4.
4. Any judge or circuit or supplemental court commissioner, juror, witness, interpreter, attorney, guardian ad litem or recipient of transcript fees who makes, signs or endorses any such certificate or order which is untrue in respect to anything material, which he or she knows to be false, or which he or she does not have good reason to believe is true, shall be punished as provided in
s. 946.12.
59.64(2)
(2) Special counties; classification of claims. In counties with a population of more than 300,000, the county auditor shall classify all such claims according to the budgetary funds provided for in
s. 59.60, against which they are chargeable, before such claims are laid before such board. The county auditor shall then submit with the claims chargeable against each fund, a statement of the balance in such fund against which no county orders have been issued. If such balance in any fund is less than the total of the claims chargeable against such fund, the auditor shall call the attention of the board to that fact, and such board shall not issue county orders in excess of such balance without previously appropriating to such fund an additional sum at least sufficient to cover such orders. If any claims are for a purpose for which no specific appropriation has been made in the budget, such claims shall be considered as chargeable against the contingent fund. When the county auditor countersigns any order on the treasurer for the payment of a claim allowed the auditor shall charge such order against the fund appropriated for that purpose.
59.64(3)
(3) Action on claims by board. The clerk shall, on the first day of any meeting of the board, lay before said board all such claims, statements of which have been filed in the clerk's office since the last meeting of such board, with a schedule of the same showing the amount thereof and the order in which the same were filed; and the board shall act upon all such claims before the adjournment of the next annual session of such board after such statements were filed with the clerk, and shall examine and allow or disallow the same in whole or in part unless withdrawn by leave of the board; and in case of the disallowance of a part of an account or other claim composed of separate items the board shall designate particularly each item disallowed; and when the amount allowed for any claim shall have been accepted and received by the claimant, and no action shall be brought to recover the remainder thereof, no further sum shall thereafter be allowed or paid thereon by the board. The board, or a committee of the board, for the purpose of ascertaining the facts in relation to any claim presented for the board's or committee's exemption and allowance, may take such testimony as it considers necessary.
59.64(4)(a)(a) Issuance; limitations. When any claim is allowed by a board, either in whole or in part, the board shall direct an order to be drawn upon the treasurer in favor of the claimant for the amount so allowed, but no order except for the per diem and mileage of the members of the board may be drawn in favor of any claimant within 5 days after the allowance of his or her claim. Any person whose claim has been allowed in part may receive the order drawn for the part so allowed without prejudice to his or her right to appeal as to the part disallowed. No board may issue a greater amount of orders, scrip and certificates of indebtedness than the amount of the county taxes levied in the county for that year. The board may authorize the issuance of orders, scrip or certificates of indebtedness at a rate of interest specified thereon, but not to exceed 6% per year; except that the orders, scrip and certificates of indebtedness shall bear no interest if paid and payable within one month from date of issuance, and shall bear no interest after date of publication of redemption notice as provided in this paragraph. The treasurer may publish a class 1 notice, under
ch. 985, that the county will redeem certain outstanding orders, scrip or certificates, which notice shall specify the particular orders, scrip or certificates, or series thereof, then redeemable.
59.64(4)(b)
(b)
Disbursements on. In all counties with a population of less than 300,000, all disbursements from the county treasury shall be made by the treasurer upon the written order of the clerk after proper vouchers have been filed in the office of the clerk; and in all cases where the statutes provide for payment by the treasurer without an order of the clerk, it shall be the duty of the clerk to draw and deliver to the treasurer an order for payment before or at the time when the payment is required to be made by the treasurer. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to all special and general provisions of the statutes relative to the disbursement of money from the county treasury.
59.64(4)(c)
(c)
Special counties; countersigned by auditor. In all counties with a population of 300,000 or more all orders and warrants drawn upon or against county funds shall be countersigned by the county auditor; and the treasurer of the county shall make no payments of county funds for any purpose unless the order, warrant, certificate, direction or authority given the treasurer for the payment is countersigned by the county auditor. This provision requiring the countersigning by the auditor shall apply to all laws and statutes, special and general, relative to the payment of county funds by the treasurer except certificates or orders issued for the payment of juror, witness, interpreter, attorney, guardian ad litem and transcript fees.
59.64(4)(d)
(d)
Examination of. The board at its annual session, or more often if it considers it necessary, shall carefully examine the county orders returned paid by the treasurer by comparing each order with the record of orders in the clerk's office, and cause to be entered in the record opposite to the entry of each order issued the date when the order was canceled. The board shall also make a complete list of the orders so canceled, specifying the number, date, amount, and person to whom the same is made payable, except in counties having a population of more than 500,000, the name of the person to whom the same is made payable may be omitted, which statement shall be entered at length on the journal of the board; and immediately after the above requirements are complied with the orders so canceled shall be destroyed in the presence of the board.
59.64(4)(e)
(e)
Uncalled for orders; cancellation; reissue. The clerk shall prepare and present to the board, at each annual session, a descriptive list giving the amount, date and payee of all county orders which have remained in the clerk's office for 2 years uncalled for by the payee. The board shall cause the orders to be compared with the list, and when found or made correct the list shall be entered at length on the journal of the board and filed in the office of the clerk; all the orders shall be canceled and destroyed. The person in whose favor the order was drawn, except those issued under
sub. (1) (d), may, upon application to the chairperson of the board and clerk, made within 6 years from the date of the order, have a new order issued for the amount of the original, without interest.
59.64 Annotation
The class action statute, s. 260.12 [now s. 803.08], is part of title XXV of the statutes [now. chs. 801 to 823], and the scope of title XXV is restricted to civil actions in courts of record. The county board is not a court of record. The class action statute can have no application to making claims against a county. Multiple claims must identify each claimant and show each claimant's authorization. Hicks v. Milwaukee County,
71 Wis. 2d 401,
238 N.W.2d 509 (1974). But see also Townsend v. Neenah Joint School District,
2014 WI App 117, ___ Wis. 2d ___, ___ N.W.2d ___,
13-2839.
59.65
59.65
Publication of financial report. A board shall cause to be made out and published in the county, as a class 1 notice, under
ch. 985, immediately after its annual meeting, a report of the receipts and expenditures of the immediately preceding year and the accounts allowed. The board may waive the publication of names of needy soldiers, sailors, marines and United States war veterans and the amount of aid provided under
s. 45.81 (3) and shall publish in lieu thereof the total disbursements thereunder.
59.65 History
History: 1985 a. 29 s.
3202 (56);
1995 a. 201 s.
434; Stats. 1995 s. 59.65;
2005 a. 22.
59.66
59.66
Unclaimed funds. 59.66(1)(1)
Disposition of unclaimed funds by court clerks. 59.66(1)(a)(a) On or before January 10 of every odd-numbered year the circuit court clerk shall file with the treasurer of his or her county a written report under oath of all moneys, securities or funds in his or her hands or under his or her possession or control where, for a period of 4 years or more, no order was made, or no step or proceeding had or taken in the case, action, or proceeding in, by or through which the moneys, securities or funds may have been deposited or left with the clerk or his or her predecessors in office, and where no valid claim was made upon or for any such moneys, securities or funds for a period of 4 years or more, and where the owner or ownership of the moneys, securities or funds is unknown, or undetermined, and the clerk or his or her successor in office shall hold the moneys, securities or funds, together with all interest or profits, until one year after the making of the report unless sooner demanded by and turned over to the legal owners thereof.
59.66(1)(b)
(b) One year after the filing of the report the clerk of any circuit court holding or having in his or her possession any such moneys, securities or funds shall turn them over to the treasurer, unless sooner demanded by and turned over to the legal owners thereof under order of the court in which the case, action or proceeding was pending.
59.66(1)(c)
(c) On or before March 1 of the same year the treasurer shall publish in the county, as a class 3 notice, under
ch. 985, the fact that he or she has unclaimed moneys, securities or funds in his or her possession for disposition. If no legal claim is made for the moneys, securities or funds within 90 days after the last publication above provided for, then the treasurer shall deposit the moneys, securities or funds, together with all interest and profits thereon, in the general fund of the county treasury, and no action may thereafter be maintained by any person, firm or corporation against the county or the treasurer for the moneys, securities or funds.
59.66(2)
(2) Unclaimed funds in public treasury. 59.66(2)(a)1.1. On or before January 10 of every odd-numbered year, each officer of a municipality and county, and each clerk of every court of record, shall file with the treasurer of that person's county a written report under oath giving the names and the last-known addresses of all persons for whom any such officer or clerk holds money or security, and which has not been claimed for at least one year, and showing the amount of the money or the nature of the security in detail. A duplicate report shall also be mailed to the department of financial institutions. Upon receiving the reports the treasurer shall cause to be published a class 3 notice, under
ch. 985, on or before February 1 of the same year, which contains the names and last-known addresses of the owners of the unclaimed money or security that has a value of at least $10, and shall state that unless the owners call for and prove their ownership of the money or security, within 6 months from the time of the completed publication, the treasurer will take possession or control of the money or security. At the end of the 6 months from the time of the completed publication, the treasurer shall also take possession or control of all money or security of persons for whom an officer of a municipality and county, and each clerk of every court of record, holds money or security, and which has not been claimed for at least one year, if the money or security has a value of less than $10.
59.66(2)(a)2.
2. In counties with a population of 500,000 or more, the treasurer shall distribute to as many community-based newspapers as possible, that are published in the county, a copy of the notice that is described in
subd. 1. The treasurer shall distribute these copies of notices at the same time that he or she causes the notices to be published.
59.66(2)(am)
(am) Any money or security of which the treasurer has taken possession or control under
par. (a) 1. and has had in his or her possession or control for more than one year shall, to the extent possible, be deposited in the county's general revenue fund. Money or security that is deposited under this paragraph may remain in the county's general revenue fund or may be used by the county until the money or security is paid or delivered to its owner, or becomes the property of the county, under
par. (b).
59.66(2)(b)
(b) If within 10 years from the time any such money or security is delivered to the treasurer the owner of the money or security proves to the satisfaction of the treasurer the owner's right to the possession of the money or security, it shall be paid or delivered to the owner. If no such proof is made, then at the end of the 10-year period the money or property shall become the property of the county. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to deprive the owner of any such property of the owner's right to proceed by court action for the recovery of such money or security from the treasurer.
59.66(2)(c)
(c) Any person violating this subsection shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than $50 nor more than $200 or imprisoned for not less than 30 days nor more than 6 months.
59.66(3)
(3) Disposition of unclaimed personal property other than money or securities held by county institutions, coroners, medical examiners, or sheriffs. All personal property other than money or securities of a deceased person who at the time of his or her death is a patient at any county institution or whose body is taken in charge by the coroner or medical examiner shall be preserved by the superintendent of the institution, the coroner, or the medical examiner for one year unless the property is claimed sooner by a person having the legal right to the property. Annually on July 1 the superintendent, coroner, or medical examiner shall make a verified written report listing all personal property which has remained in that person's custody for one year without being claimed and giving all facts as to ownership of the property as that person's records contain. The superintendent, coroner, or medical examiner shall file the report with the sheriff of the county and deliver the property to the sheriff, who shall issue a receipt for the property. Thereupon the superintendent, coroner, or medical examiner shall be discharged from further liability for the property, title to which shall then vest in the county. Any property which is left at the county jail for a period of one year after the prisoner has been discharged, transferred, or committed and any property, found or stolen, which comes into the hands of the sheriff and in any case remains unclaimed for a period of one year, shall be sold as prescribed in this subsection. The sheriff shall, on or before August 1 annually, post a notice in 3 public places in the county, briefly describing the property and stating that the sheriff will sell the property at public auction on a certain date and at a specified physical location or Internet site, which auction shall be held accordingly. Any of the property which is not disposed of at the auction shall be sold for the best price obtainable, and if the property cannot be disposed of by sale, shall be destroyed in the presence of the sheriff. The sheriff shall, on or before September 1 annually, remit the proceeds of the auction or general sale to the treasurer and shall file a verified report of the sheriff's action in connection therewith. The proceeds shall become a part of the general fund of the county.
59.66 Annotation
A law enforcement agency may not retain unclaimed contraband money for its own use. In the absence of an asset forfeiture proceeding initiated by the state or a judicial determination that the money constitutes contraband, a local law enforcement agency should dispose of the money as unclaimed property under sub. (2).
OAG 9-09.
LAND USE, INFORMATION AND REGULATION,
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SURVEYS,
PLANNING AND ZONING
59.69
59.69
Planning and zoning authority. 59.69(1)
(1)
Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to promote the public health, safety, convenience and general welfare; to encourage planned and orderly land use development; to protect property values and the property tax base; to permit the careful planning and efficient maintenance of highway systems; to ensure adequate highway, utility, health, educational and recreational facilities; to recognize the needs of agriculture, forestry, industry and business in future growth; to encourage uses of land and other natural resources which are in accordance with their character and adaptability; to provide adequate light and air, including access to sunlight for solar collectors and to wind for wind energy systems; to encourage the protection of groundwater resources; to preserve wetlands; to conserve soil, water and forest resources; to protect the beauty and amenities of landscape and man-made developments; to provide healthy surroundings for family life; and to promote the efficient and economical use of public funds. To accomplish this purpose the board may plan for the physical development and zoning of territory within the county as set forth in this section and shall incorporate therein the master plan adopted under
s. 62.23 (2) or
(3) and the official map of any city or village in the county adopted under
s. 62.23 (6).
59.69(2)
(2) Planning and zoning agency or commission. 59.69(2)(a)1.1. Except as provided under
subd. 2., the board may create a planning and zoning committee as a county board agency or may create a planning and zoning commission consisting wholly or partially of persons who are not members of the board, designated the county zoning agency. In lieu of creating a committee or commission for this purpose, the board may designate a previously established committee or commission as the county zoning agency, authorized to act in all matters pertaining to county planning and zoning.
59.69(2)(a)2.
2. If the board in a county with a county executive authorizes the creation of a county planning and zoning commission, designated the county zoning agency, the county executive shall appoint the commission, subject to confirmation by the board.
