Chapter 66

66.0235(7)(b) (b) If a proportionate share of any indebtedness existing by reason of municipal bonds or other obligations outstanding is assigned to a local governmental unit, that local governmental unit shall levy and collect upon all its taxable property, in one sum or in annual installments, the amount necessary to pay the principal and interest when due, and shall pay the amount collected to the treasurer of the local governmental unit which issued the bonds or incurred the obligations. The treasurer shall apply the moneys received strictly to the payment of the principal and interest.

66.0235(7)(c) (c) If the asset apportioned consists of an aid or tax to be distributed in the future according to population, the apportionment board shall certify to the officer, agency or department responsible for making the distribution each local governmental unit’s proportionate share of the asset as determined in accordance with sub. (2). The officer, agency or department shall distribute the aid or tax directly to the several local governmental units according to the certification until the next federal census.

66.0235(8) (8) Appeal to court. If the apportionment board is unable to agree, the circuit court of the county in which either local governmental unit is situated may, upon the petition of either local governmental unit, make the adjustment of assets and liabilities under this section, including review of any alternative method provided in sub. (2c) (b) and the correctness of the findings made under sub. (2c) (b).

66.0235(9) (9) Transcript of records. If territory is detached from a local governmental unit, the proper officer of the local governmental unit from which the territory was detached shall furnish, upon demand by the proper officer of the local governmental unit created from the detached territory or to which it is annexed, an authenticated transcript of all public records in that officer’s office pertaining to the detached territory. The local governmental unit receiving the transcript shall pay for the transcript.

66.0235(10) (10) State trust fund loans. When territory transferred in any manner provided by law from one local governmental unit to another is liable for state trust fund loans secured under subch. II of ch. 24, the clerk of the local governmental unit to which territory is transferred shall within 30 days of the effective date of the transfer certify a metes and bounds description of the transferred area to the clerk of the local governmental unit from which the land was transferred. The clerk of the local governmental unit from which territory was transferred shall then certify to the board of commissioners of public lands the effective date of the transfer of territory, the last preceding assessed valuation of the territory liable for state trust fund loans before transfer of a part of the territory and the assessed valuation of the territory transferred. The board shall in making its annual certifications of the amounts due on account of state trust fund loans distribute annual charges for interest and principal on outstanding loans covered by this subsection in the proportion that the assessed valuation of the territory transferred bears to the assessed valuation of the area liable for state trust fund loans as constituted immediately before the transfer of territory. A transfer of territory effective subsequent to January 1 of any year may not be considered until the succeeding year.

66.0235(10a) (10a) Corrections. The provisions of sub. (10) are applicable to school districts. Any errors, omissions or other defects in the tax certifications and levies in connection with the repayment of state trust fund loans by school districts for the year 1950 and all subsequent years may be corrected by the school district clerk in the tax levy certifications for following years.

66.0235(11) (11) Designating districts.

66.0235(11)(a) (a) Whenever a transfer of territory from one school district to another results in a change in the name of a school district which is liable for one or more state trust fund loans secured under subch. II of ch. 24, the clerk of the school district to which the territory was transferred shall, within 30 days of the effective date of such transfer, certify to the board of commissioners of public lands and the county clerk:

66.0235(11)(a)1. 1. The name of the school district from which territory was transferred;

66.0235(11)(a)2. 2. The effective date of such transfer;

66.0235(11)(a)3. 3. The name of the school district to which the transfer was made immediately prior to the effective date of the transfer;

66.0235(11)(a)4. 4. The name of the school district to which the transfer was made immediately after the effective date of the transfer.

66.0235(11)(b) (b) In making the annual certifications of the amounts due on account of state trust fund loans the board of commissioners of public lands shall use the new name of the school district. A transfer of territory effective subsequent to January 1 of any year may not be considered by it until the succeeding year.

66.0235(12) (12) Time of transfer. When the governmental classification of a school district is changed, all of the assets and liabilities and the title to all school property shall vest in the new district by operation of law upon the effective date of the change.

66.0235(13) (13) Taxes and assessment.

66.0235(13)(a) (a) General property taxes.

66.0235(13)(a)1. 1. Subject to subd. 2., if any territory is annexed, detached or incorporated in any year, general property taxes levied against the territory shall be collected by the treasurer of the local governmental unit in which the territory was located on January 1 of such year, and all moneys collected from the tax levied for local municipal purposes shall be allocated to each of the local governmental units on the basis of the portion of the calendar year the territory was located in each of the local governmental units, and paid accordingly.

66.0235(13)(a)2. 2. If a city or village is incorporated after January 1 and before April 1, the procedures described in subd. 1. shall be applied as if the city or village was incorporated on January 1 of the year in which it was incorporated and the territory shall be treated for purposes of ch. 70 as if the incorporation had occurred on January 1.

66.0235(13)(aa) (aa) Apportionment when town is nonexistent. If the town in which territory was located on January 1 is nonexistent when the city or village determines its budget, any taxes certified to the town or required by law to be levied against the territory shall be included in the budget of the city or village and levied against the territory, together with the city or village tax for local municipal purposes.

66.0235(13)(b) (b) Special taxes and assessments. If territory is transferred from one local governmental unit to another by annexation, detachment, consolidation or incorporation, or returns to its former status by reason of court determination, any special tax or assessment outstanding against property in the territory shall be collected by the treasurer of the local governmental unit in which the property is located, according to the terms of the ordinance or resolution levying the tax or assessment. The special tax or assessment, when collected, shall be paid to the treasurer of the local governmental unit which levied the special tax or assessment, or if the local governmental unit is nonexistent, the collecting treasurer shall apply the collected funds to any obligation for which purpose the tax or assessment was levied and which remains outstanding. If no obligation is outstanding, the collected funds shall be paid into the school fund of the school district in which the territory is located.

66.0235(13)(bb) (bb) Apportionment when court returns territory to former status. If territory which has been annexed, consolidated, detached or incorporated returns to its former status by reason of a final court determination, there shall be an apportionment of general property taxes and current aids and shared revenues between the local governmental units, and no other apportionment of assets and liabilities. The basis of the apportionment shall be determined by the apportionment board subject to appeal to the circuit court. The apportionment shall to the extent practicable equitably adjust the taxes, aids and revenues between the local governmental units involved on the basis of the portion of the calendar year the territory was located in the respective local governmental units.

66.0235(13)(c) (c) Certification by clerk. The clerk of the local governmental unit which assessed the special and general tax and special assessment shall certify to the clerk of the local governmental unit to which the territory was attached or returned, a list of all the property located in the attached or returned territory to which is charged any uncollected taxes and assessments. The certification shall be made within 30 days after the effective date of the transfer of the property, but failure to certify does not affect the validity of the claim.

66.0235 History History: 1971 c. 125 s. 521; 1971 c. 154; 1973 c. 90; 1975 c. 41; 1977 c. 29 ss. 699, 700, 1646 (3), 1648 (1), 1654 (2), (8) (c); 1981 c. 169; 1985 a. 29; 1985 a. 225 ss. 32 to 38, 100; 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39, 316; 1993 a. 399; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3313, 3314, 9145 (1); 1995 a. 216, 225; 1997 a. 27, 237; 1999 a. 150 s. 75; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0235; 2011 a. 32.

66.0235 Annotation The method of division of assets and liabilities set forth is exclusive. City of Sheboygan v. Town of Sheboygan Sanitary District No. 2, 145 Wis. 2d 424, 427 N.W.2d 390 (Ct. App. 1988).

66.0235 Annotation Sewerage systems are not public utilities valued by the Public Service Commission under sub. (4). Town of Beloit v. PSC, 180 Wis. 2d 610, 510 N.W.2d 140 (Ct. App. 1993).

subch. III of ch. 66 SUBCHAPTER III

INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION

66.0301 66.0301 Intergovernmental cooperation.

66.0301(1) (1) 

66.0301(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), in this section “municipality” means the state or any department or agency thereof, or any city, village, town, county, or school district, the opportunity schools and partnership programs under subch. IX of ch. 115 and subch. II of ch. 119, the superintendent of schools opportunity schools and partnership program under s. 119.33, or any public library system, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district, sanitary district, farm drainage district, metropolitan sewerage district, sewer utility district, solid waste management system created under s. 59.70 (2), local exposition district created under subch. II of ch. 229, local professional baseball park district created under subch. III of ch. 229, local professional football stadium district created under subch. IV of ch. 229, local cultural arts district created under subch. V of ch. 229, long-term care district under s. 46.2895, water utility district, mosquito control district, municipal electric company, county or city transit commission, commission created by contract under this section, taxation district, regional planning commission, housing authority created under s. 66.1201, redevelopment authority created under s. 66.1333, community development authority created under s. 66.1335, or city-county health department.

66.0301(1)(b) (b) If the purpose of the intergovernmental cooperation is the establishment of a joint transit commission, “municipality” means any city, village, town or county.

66.0301(1)(c) (c) For purposes of sub. (6), “municipality” means any city, village, or town.

66.0301(2) (2) Subject to s. 59.794 (2), and in addition to the provisions of any other statutes specifically authorizing cooperation between municipalities, unless those statutes specifically exclude action under this section, any municipality may contract with other municipalities and with federally recognized Indian tribes and bands in this state, for the receipt or furnishing of services or the joint exercise of any power or duty required or authorized by law. If municipal or tribal parties to a contract have varying powers or duties under the law, each may act under the contract to the extent of its lawful powers and duties. A contract under this subsection may bind the contracting parties for the length of time specified in the contract. This section shall be interpreted liberally in favor of cooperative action between municipalities and between municipalities and Indian tribes and bands in this state. If a municipality is required to establish or maintain an agency, department, commission, or any other office or position to carry out a municipal responsibility, and the municipality joins with another municipality by entering into an intergovernmental cooperation contract under this subsection to jointly carry out the responsibility, the jointly established or maintained agency, department, commission, or any other office or position to which the contract applies fulfills, subject to sub. (7), the municipality’s obligation to establish or maintain such entities or positions until the contract entered into under this subsection expires or is terminated by the parties. In addition, if 2 or more municipalities enter into an intergovernmental cooperation contract and create a commission under this section to jointly or regionally administer a function or project, the commission shall be considered, subject to sub. (7), to be a single entity that represents, and may act on behalf of, the joint interests of the signatories to the contract entered into under this section.

66.0301(3) (3) Any contract under sub. (2) may provide a plan for administration of the function or project, which may include but is not limited to provisions as to proration of the expenses involved, deposit and disbursement of funds appropriated, submission and approval of budgets, creation of a commission, selection and removal of commissioners, and formation and letting of contracts.

66.0301(4) (4) A commission created by contract under sub. (2) may finance the acquisition, development, remodeling, construction and equipment of land, buildings and facilities for regional projects under s. 66.0621. Participating municipalities acting jointly or separately may finance the projects, or an agreed share of the cost of the projects, under ch. 67.

66.0301(5) (5) No commission created by contract under sub. (2) may, directly or indirectly, do any of the following:

66.0301(5)(a) (a) Acquire, construct or lease facilities used or useful in the business of a public utility engaged in production, transmission, delivery or furnishing of heat, light, power, natural gas or communications service, by any method except those set forth under this chapter or ch. 196, 197 or 198.

66.0301(5)(b) (b) Establish, lay out, construct, improve, discontinue, relocate, widen or maintain any road or highway outside the corporate limits of a village or city or acquire lands for those purposes except upon approval of the department of transportation and the county board of the county and the town board of the town in which the road is to be located.

66.0301(6) (6) 

66.0301(6)(a) (a) Any 2 municipalities whose boundaries are immediately adjacent at any point may enter into a written agreement determining all or a portion of the common boundary line between the municipalities. An agreement under this subsection may include only the provisions authorized under this section and s. 66.0305, and one or more of the following:

66.0301(6)(a)1. 1. That specified boundary lines apply on the effective date of the agreement.

66.0301(6)(a)2. 2. That specified boundary line changes shall occur during the term of the agreement and the approximate dates by which the changes shall occur.

66.0301(6)(a)3. 3. That specified boundary line changes may occur during the term of the agreement and the approximate dates by which the changes may occur.

66.0301(6)(a)4. 4. That a required boundary line change under subd. 2. or an optional boundary line change under subd. 3. is subject to the occurrence of conditions set forth in the agreement.

66.0301(6)(a)5. 5. That specified boundary lines may not be changed during the term of the agreement.

66.0301(6)(b) (b) The maximum term of an agreement under this subsection is 10 years. When an agreement expires, all provisions of the agreement expire, except that any boundary determined under the agreement remains in effect until subsequently changed.

66.0301(6)(c) (c)

66.0301(6)(c)1. 1. Before an agreement under this subsection may take effect, and subject to par. (e), it must be approved by the governing body of each municipality by the adoption of a resolution. Before each municipality may adopt a resolution, each shall hold a public hearing on the agreement or both municipalities shall hold a joint public hearing on the agreement. Before the public hearing may be held, each municipality shall give notice of the pending agreement and public hearing by publishing a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, and by giving notice to each property owner whose property is currently located in that municipality and in, or immediately adjacent to, the territory whose jurisdiction will change. Notice shall be given at least 20 days before the public hearing and notice to property owners shall be made by certified mail.

66.0301(6)(c)2. 2. An agreement under this subsection is subject to a referendum of the electors residing within the territory whose jurisdiction is subject to change as a result of the agreement. After each municipality approves the agreement by adoption of a resolution, each municipality shall publish the agreement in the territory whose jurisdiction is subject to change as a result of the agreement as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985. A referendum shall be held if, within 30 days after the publication of the agreement, a petition for a referendum conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40, signed by at least 20 percent of the electors residing within the territory whose jurisdiction is subject to change as a result of the agreement is filed, in accordance with s. 8.37, with the clerk of each municipality that is a party to the agreement. The referendum shall be conducted jointly by the municipalities and shall otherwise be conducted as are annexation referenda. If the agreement is approved in the referendum, it may take effect. If the agreement is not approved in the referendum, it may not take effect.

66.0301(6)(d) (d) An agreement under this subsection may provide that, during the term of the agreement, no other procedure for altering a municipality’s boundaries may be used to alter a boundary that is affected by the agreement, except an annexation conducted under s. 281.43 (1m), regardless of whether the boundary is proposed to be maintained or changed or is allowed to be changed under the agreement. After the agreement has expired, the boundary may be altered.

66.0301(6)(e) (e) A boundary change included in an agreement under this subsection shall be accomplished by the enactment of an ordinance by the governing body designated to do so in the agreement. The filing and recording requirements under s. 66.0217 (9) (a), as they apply to cities and villages under s. 66.0217 (9) (a), apply to municipalities under this subsection. The requirements for the secretary of administration under s. 66.0217 (9) (b), as they apply under that section, apply to the secretary of administration when he or she receives an ordinance that is filed under this subsection.

66.0301(6)(f) (f) No action to contest the validity of an agreement under this subsection may be commenced after 60 days from the date the agreement becomes effective.

66.0301(6)(g) (g) This subsection is the exclusive authority under this section for entering into an agreement that determines all or a portion of the common boundary line between municipalities.

66.0301(6)(h) (h) An agreement under this section that has been entered into before January 19, 2008, that affects the location of a boundary between municipalities, is not invalid as lacking authority under this section to affect the location of the boundary.

66.0301(7) (7) With regard to a contract entered into under sub. (2) between 2 or more counties, which relates to the provision of services or facilities under a contract with an officer or agency of the state, the contract may not take effect unless it is approved in writing by the officer or chief of the agency that has authority over the contract for the provision of services or facilities. The contract must be approved or disapproved in writing by the officer or chief of the agency with regard to the matters within the scope of the contract for the provision of services or facilities within 90 days after receipt of the contract. Any disapproval shall detail the specific respects in which the proposed contract fails to demonstrate that the signatories intend to fulfill their contractual responsibilities or obligations. If the officer or chief of the agency fails to approve or disapprove of the contract entered into under sub. (2) within 90 days after receipt, the contract shall be considered approved by the officer or chief of the agency.

66.0301 History History: 1999 a. 150 ss. 348, 349, 352, 353; 1999 a. 167 s. 38; 2001 a. 16, 30; 2007 a. 20, 43; 2009 a. 28, 112; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 14; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59.

66.0301 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. PI 14.01, Wis. adm. code.

66.0301 Annotation The plain language of sub. (6) does not limit the scope of boundary changes to only “modest” changes. The statutes provide multiple methods for altering municipal boundary lines. There is nothing absurd about the fact that the legislature might permit intergovernmental cooperation agreements to include major boundary changes without agency approval or a public referendum—at least no more absurd than the fact that a “minor” boundary change may be accomplished without agency approval or a public referendum. City of Kaukauna v. Village of Harrison, 2015 WI App 73, 365 Wis. 2d 181, 870 N.W.2d 680, 14-2828.

66.0301 Annotation Sub. (6) (c) 1. does not expressly specify what information must be contained in the notices that are published and sent by certified mail. In contrast, numerous other statutes contained within this chapter establish specific content requirements for public notice. The legislature knows how to require specific public notice of proposed boundary changes; it chose not to do so in sub. (6) (c) 1. City of Kaukauna v. Village of Harrison, 2015 WI App 73, 365 Wis. 2d 181, 870 N.W.2d 680, 14-2828.

66.0301 Annotation Counties may enter into joint agreements to collectively furnish and fund nursing home services if the agreements do not violate federal and state Medicaid statutes and regulations prohibiting supplementation. Assessments resulting from such agreements that are computed without reference to and are not attributable to purchase of services contracts involving particular Medicaid patients would not be considered supplementation. Assessments that are computed with reference to or are attributable to purchase of services contracts involving particular Medicaid patients are not permissible. The validity of hybrid assessments that do not fit solely within either one of those two categories must be determined on a case-by-case basis. OAG 4-09.

66.0303 66.0303 Municipal interstate cooperation.

66.0303(1) (1) In this section, “municipality” has the meaning given in s. 66.0301 (1) (a), except that with regard to agreements described in s. 66.0304, “municipality” includes a political subdivision, as defined in s. 66.0304 (1) (f).

66.0303(2) (2) A municipality may contract with municipalities of another state or with federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands located in another state for the receipt or furnishing of services or the joint exercise of any power or duty required or authorized by statute to the extent that laws of the other state or of the United States permit the joint exercise.

66.0303(3) (3) 

66.0303(3)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) and s. 66.0825 (18), an agreement made under this section shall, prior to and as a condition precedent to taking effect, be submitted to the attorney general who shall determine whether the agreement is in proper form and compatible with the laws of this state. The attorney general shall approve any agreement submitted under this paragraph unless the attorney general finds that it does not meet the conditions set forth in this section and details in writing addressed to the concerned municipal governing bodies the specific respects in which the proposed agreement fails to meet the requirements of law. Failure to disapprove an agreement submitted under this paragraph within 90 days of its submission constitutes approval. The attorney general, upon submission of an agreement, shall transmit a copy of the agreement to the governor who shall consult with any state department or agency affected by the agreement. The governor shall forward to the attorney general any comments the governor may have concerning the agreement.

66.0303(3)(b) (b) An agreement under this section between a municipality of this state and a municipality of another state that relates to the receipt, furnishing, or joint exercise of fire fighting or emergency medical services need not be submitted to or approved by the attorney general before the agreement may take effect.

66.0303(4) (4) An agreement entered into under this section has the status of an interstate compact, but in any case or controversy involving performance or interpretation of or liability under the agreement, the municipalities party to the agreement are real parties in interest and the state may commence an action to recoup or otherwise make itself whole for any damages or liability which it may incur by reason of being joined as a party. The action by the state may be maintained against any municipality whose act or omission caused or contributed to the incurring of damage or liability by the state.

66.0303 History History: 1999 a. 150 ss. 77, 355; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 198; 2009 a. 205, 378, 379.

66.0304 66.0304 Conduit revenue bonds.

66.0304(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

66.0304(1)(a) (a) “Agreement” means a contract entered into under this section by the political subdivisions which form a commission. The contract may be amended according to the terms of the contract, and the amended contract remains an agreement.

66.0304(1)(b) (b) “Bond” means any bond, note or other obligation issued or entered into or acquired under this section, including any refunding bond or certificate of participation or lease-purchase, installment sale, or other financing agreement.

66.0304(1)(c) (c) “Commission” means an entity created by two or more political subdivisions, who contract with each other under s. 66.0301 (2) or 66.0303 (2), for the purpose of issuing bonds under this section.

66.0304(1)(d) (d) “Member” means a party to an agreement.

66.0304(1)(e) (e) “Participant” means any public or private entity or unincorporated association, including a federally recognized Indian tribe or band, that contracts with a commission for the purpose of financing or refinancing a project that is owned, sponsored, or controlled by the public or private entity or unincorporated association.

66.0304(1)(f) (f) “Political subdivision” means any city, village, town, or county in this state or any city, village, town, county, district, authority, agency, commission, or other similar governmental entity in another state or office, department, authority, or agency of any such other state or territory of the United States.

66.0304(1)(g) (g) “Project” means any capital improvement, purchase of receivables, property, assets, commodities, bonds or other revenue streams or related assets, working capital program, or liability or other insurance program, located within or outside of this state.

66.0304(1)(ge) (ge) “Public official” means an individual who holds, or has held, a local public office, as that term is defined in s. 19.42 (7w), for a political subdivision in this state.

66.0304(1)(h) (h) “Revenue” means all moneys and fees received from any source by a commission.

66.0304(2) (2) Attorney general review.

66.0304(2)(a) (a) Before an agreement may take effect, the proposed agreement shall be submitted to the attorney general who shall determine whether the agreement is in proper form and compatible with the laws of this state. Subject to sub. (3) (d), the attorney general shall approve any agreement submitted under this subsection unless the attorney general finds that it does not meet the conditions set forth in this section and details in writing addressed to the concerned political subdivisions’ governing bodies the specific respects in which the proposed agreement fails to meet the requirements of law. Failure to disapprove an agreement submitted under this subsection within 90 days of its submission constitutes approval. The attorney general, upon submission of an agreement, shall transmit a copy of the agreement to the governor, who may consult with any state department or agency. The governor shall forward to the attorney general any comments the governor may have concerning the agreement.

66.0304(2)(b) (b) No approval is required under this subsection for an amendment to an agreement to take effect, unless the amendment is to add a member or unless otherwise required by the terms of the agreement. A commission may not be dissolved under sub. (4m) without the approval of the attorney general, who shall certify to the commission and the participants that the dissolution resolution provides for the payment of any outstanding bonds or other obligations of the commission.

66.0304(3) (3) Creation and organization.

66.0304(3)(a) (a) Two or more political subdivisions may create a commission for the purpose of issuing bonds by entering into an agreement to do so under s. 66.0301 (2) or 66.0303 (2), except that upon its creation all of the initial members of a commission shall be political subdivisions that are located in this state. A commission that is created as provided in this section is a unit of government, and a body corporate and politic, that is separate and distinct from, and independent of, the state and the political subdivisions which are parties to the agreement.

66.0304(3)(b) (b) A commission shall be governed by a board, the members of which shall be appointed under the terms of the agreement. A majority of the board members shall be public officials or current or former employees of a political subdivision that is located in this state. Board members may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties to the extent provided in the agreement or the bylaws of the commission.

66.0304(3)(c) (c) An additional political subdivision may become a member of a commission, and a member may withdraw from a commission, as provided in the agreement. For an agreement to be valid, at least one commission member shall be a political subdivision that is located in this state and a commission shall consist of at least 2 political subdivisions. A commission may not take any action under this paragraph that would invalidate an agreement.

66.0304(3)(d) (d) No commission may be created under this section unless its agreement is submitted to the attorney general, under sub. (2), before October 1, 2010. Only one commission may be formed under this section. If more than one agreement is submitted to the attorney general before October 1, 2010, the attorney general must give preference to the agreement that submits with its documents a demonstration of support for its agreement from at least one statewide organization located in this state which represents the interests of political subdivisions and has political subdivisions among its membership.

66.0304(4) (4) Powers of a commission. A commission has all of the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes and provisions of this section. In addition to all other powers granted by this section, a commission may do any of the following:

66.0304(4)(a) (a) Adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business.