Chapter 79

79.038(1)(b)1.n. n. Parks and recreation.

79.038(1)(b)2. 2. For purposes of this subsection, the total cost of providing a service under subd. 1. includes the cost of wages, fringe benefits, training, and equipment associated with providing the service.

79.038(1)(b)3. 3. In calculating the projected savings under this paragraph to be realized by a transfer of fire protection or emergency medical services involving an entity that engages volunteer fire fighters or emergency medical services practitioners, the department shall attribute to all volunteer fire fighter or emergency medical services practitioner positions fair market compensation for the services provided by the volunteer fire fighter or emergency medical services practitioner positions. The department shall promulgate rules specifying the method of determining fair market compensation for the services provided by a volunteer fire fighter position and emergency medical services practitioner position for purposes of this paragraph.

79.038(1)(c) (c)

79.038(1)(c)1. 1. The department may not approve a grant under par. (a) after the end of the 4th fiscal year after the date identified in the notice under 2023 Wisconsin Act 12, section 244 (1).

79.038(1)(c)2. 2. The department may distribute a total of up to $300,000,000 in payments under this subsection.

79.038(1)(c)3. 3. The department may not approve a grant under par. (a) if distributing all payments for the grant and all other grants awarded under this subsection as provided in par. (d) would result in the distribution of an amount that exceeds the amount under subd. 2.

79.038(1)(d) (d)

79.038(1)(d)1. 1. A grant awarded under par. (a) shall be distributed in payments made each year during the period consisting of the first fiscal year that begins after the date identified in the notice under 2023 Wisconsin Act 12, section 244 (1), and the following 2 fiscal years. Except as provided in subds. 2., 3., and 4., with regard to an innovation plan involving only counties and municipalities, the amount of the grant awarded under par. (a) for that plan to be distributed in each year is equal to 25 percent of the total costs specified under par. (a) 1. c. of performing the services and duties covered by the innovation plan in the year immediately preceding the transfer of the services or duties, excluding the costs specified under par. (a) 1. c. paid by the county or municipality with the highest total costs of performing the services or duties covered by the innovation plan in the year immediately preceding the transfer of the services or duties. Except as provided in subds. 2., 3., and 4., with regard to an innovation plan involving the transfer of a service or duty to a nonprofit organization or private entity, the amount of the grant awarded under par. (a) for that plan to be distributed in each year is equal to 25 percent of the total costs specified under par. (a) 1. c. of performing the transferred services and duties in the year immediately preceding the transfer of the services or duties.

79.038(1)(d)2. 2. No county or municipality may receive a total amount of payments distributed during a year under this subsection that exceeds $10,000,000.

79.038(1)(d)3. 3. The department of revenue shall notify the department of administration of any county or municipality that failed to realize its projected savings as required under par. (e) 2. a. or b., and the department of administration shall withhold from the next payment to the county or municipality an amount equal to the difference between the amount of savings required to be realized under par. (e) 2. a. or b. and the actual amount of savings realized.

79.038(1)(d)4. 4. The department shall allocate the grant moneys distributed under this paragraph as provided by the agreement or contract under par. (a) 1. e.

79.038(1)(e) (e)

79.038(1)(e)1. 1. The department of revenue shall give priority to county and municipal innovation plans that attempt to realize savings for public safety, fire protection, and emergency services while maintaining the appropriate level of such services. After the department awards grants to priority applicants, the department may award other counties and municipalities a prorated share of the remaining amount allocated under s. 25.491 (10).

79.038(1)(e)2. 2.

79.038(1)(e)2.a. a. Each applicant under this paragraph shall certify to the department that the county or municipality shall realize half of the projected savings under its plan no later than 24 months after first receiving a distribution for the grant.

79.038(1)(e)2.b. b. Each applicant under this paragraph shall certify to the department that the county or municipality shall realize the full amount of the projected savings under its plan no later than 36 months after first receiving a distribution for the grant.

79.038(1)(em) (em) The department of revenue shall certify the amounts of grants awarded under par. (a) to the department of administration, and the department of administration shall pay the amount of the grants awarded under par. (a).

79.038(1)(f) (f)

79.038(1)(f)1. 1. Each year during the period described in par. (d) during which grants are distributed, the department of revenue shall audit at least 10 percent of the grants awarded under par. (a) for which at least 24 months have passed since the first distribution under the grant.

79.038(1)(f)2. 2. Each year during the period during which grants under par. (a) are awarded, no later than December 31, the department of revenue shall submit a report to the joint committee on finance concerning all grants awarded under par. (a).

79.038(2) (2) Innovation planning grants.

79.038(2)(a) (a) Beginning in 2024, a municipality with a population not exceeding 5,000 may apply to the department of revenue, in the form and manner prescribed by the department, for a grant to be used only for staffing and consultant expenses for planning the transfer of one or more of the services listed under sub. (1) (b). No municipality may receive more than $100,000 for each project plan submitted under this paragraph and approved by the department of revenue.

79.038(2)(b) (b) The department of revenue shall certify the amounts of grants awarded under par. (a) to the department of administration, and the department of administration shall pay the amount of the grants awarded under par. (a).

79.038 History History: 2023 a. 12, 19; s. 35.17 correction in (1) (a) 1. d.

79.039 79.039 Certain reductions.

79.039(1) (1) For the distribution in 2024 and subsequent years, if in any year a county or municipality fails to satisfy the requirements under s. 62.90 (5) (a) or 66.0608 (2m), the secretary of administration shall reduce the county’s or municipality’s total of payments under ss. 79.036 and 79.037 for the next year by 15 percent.

79.039(1m) (1m) For the distribution in 2024 and subsequent years, if in any year a municipality fails to satisfy the requirements under s. 62.90 (5) (bm), the secretary of administration shall reduce the municipality’s payment under s. 79.037 for the next year by 15 percent.

79.039(2) (2) 

79.039(2)(a) (a)

79.039(2)(a)1. 1. If in any year a county that imposes the tax under s. 77.70 (2) fails to make the contribution to its retirement system’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability, as required under s. 77.70 (2) (a), the department of revenue shall reduce the county’s total of payments under ss. 79.035, 79.036, and 79.037 for that year by the amount of the unpaid contribution and direct the department of administration to pay that amount towards the retirement system’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability.

79.039(2)(a)2. 2. If in any year a county that imposes the tax under s. 77.70 (2) uses the revenue from that tax for an expenditure that is not authorized under s. 77.70 (2), the department of revenue shall reduce the county’s total of payments under ss. 79.035, 79.036, and 79.037 for that year by the amount of the unauthorized expenditure and direct the department of administration to pay to the county the reduced amount.

79.039(2)(b) (b)

79.039(2)(b)1. 1. If in any year a municipality that imposes the tax under s. 77.701 fails to make the contribution to its retirement system’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability, as required under s. 77.701 (1), the department of revenue shall reduce the municipality’s total of payments under ss. 79.035, 79.036, and 79.037 for that year by the amount of the unpaid contribution and direct the department of administration to pay that amount towards the retirement system’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability.

79.039(2)(b)2. 2. If in any year a municipality that imposes the tax under s. 77.701 uses the revenue from that tax for an expenditure that is not authorized under s. 77.701, the department of revenue shall reduce the municipality’s total of payments under ss. 79.035, 79.036, and 79.037 for that year by the amount of the unauthorized expenditure and direct the department of administration to pay to the municipality the reduced amount.

79.039 History History: 2023 a. 12.

79.04 79.04 Public utility distribution.

79.04(1) (1) Annually, except for production plants that begin operation after December 31, 2003, or begin operation as a repowered production plant after December 31, 2003, and except as provided in sub. (4m), the department of administration, upon certification by the department of revenue, shall distribute to a municipality having within its boundaries a production plant, general structure, or substation, used by a light, heat, or power company assessed under s. 76.28 (2) or 76.29 (2), except property described in s. 66.0813 unless the production plant or substation is owned or operated by a local governmental unit located outside of the municipality, or by an electric cooperative assessed under ss. 76.07 and 76.48, respectively, or by a municipal electric company under s. 66.0825 the amount determined as follows:

79.04(1)(a) (a) An amount from the public utility account determined by multiplying by 3 mills in the case of a town, and 6 mills in the case of a city or village, the first $125,000,000 of the amount shown in the account, plus leased property, of each public utility except qualified wholesale electric companies, as defined in s. 76.28 (1) (gm), on December 31 of the preceding year for “production plant, exclusive of land,” “general structures,” and “substations,” in the case of light, heat and power companies, electric cooperatives or municipal electric companies, for all property within a municipality in accordance with the system of accounts established by the public service commission or rural electrification administration, less depreciation thereon as determined by the department of revenue and less the value of treatment plant and pollution abatement equipment, as defined under s. 70.11 (21), as determined by the department of revenue plus an amount from the public utility account determined by multiplying by 3 mills in the case of a town, and 6 mills in the case of a city or village, of the first $125,000,000 of the total original cost of production plant, general structures, and substations less depreciation, land and approved waste treatment facilities of each qualified wholesale electric company, as defined in s. 76.28 (1) (gm), as reported to the department of revenue of all property within the municipality. The total of amounts, as depreciated, from the accounts of all public utilities for the same production plant is also limited to not more than $125,000,000. The amount distributable to a municipality under this subsection and sub. (6) in any year shall not exceed $300 times the population of the municipality, except that, beginning with payments in 2009, the amount distributable to a municipality under this subsection and sub. (6) in any year shall not exceed $425 times the population of the municipality, except as provided under par. (am).

79.04(1)(am) (am) The payment limitation under par. (a) does not apply to the amounts distributable to a municipality under this subsection and sub. (6) if the first distribution to the municipality that meets or exceeds the limitation occurs after 2010. This paragraph does not apply to distributions after 2022.

79.04(1)(b) (b)

79.04(1)(b)1. 1. Beginning with the distribution under this subsection in 1991, and ending with the distribution under this subsection in 2008, the amount determined under par. (a) to value property used by a light, heat or power company in a municipality may not be less than the amount determined to value the property for the distribution to the municipality under this subsection in 1990, subject to subds. 2., 3. and 4.

79.04(1)(b)2. 2. When a light, heat or power company no longer uses property described under par. (a) as production plant, substation, or general structure in a municipality, the amount established under subd. 1. shall be reduced by the proportion that the property that is no longer used bears to the total value of all property described in par. (a) in the municipality. The proportion shall be determined according to the proportional value of the property when the light, heat or power company stops using the property.

79.04(1)(b)3. 3. The amount of a distribution under this paragraph, as affected by subd. 1., may not exceed the per capita amount established under par. (a).

79.04(1)(b)4. 4. If property of a light, heat or power company described under par. (a) is included in the value of property for the distribution to the municipality under this subsection in 1990 and is located in territory annexed by another municipality after December 31, 1989, the amount established under subd. 1. shall be reduced annually by one-fifth of the value of the property located in the annexed territory for 5 consecutive years, beginning with the distribution in 1994 or with the first distribution after the year in which the annexation occurs, whichever is later.

79.04(1)(c) (c)

79.04(1)(c)1. 1. The payment for any municipality in which a production plant is located, which the public service commission certifies to the department of revenue will produce a nominal rated capacity of 200 megawatts or more, shall be no less than $75,000 annually, except that the amount distributable to a municipality in any year shall not exceed the per capita limit specified in par. (a).

79.04(1)(c)2. 2. If a production plant is located in more than one municipality, the total payment under subd. 1. shall be apportioned according to the amounts shown on the preceding December 31 for the production plant in the account described in par. (a) for “production plant exclusive of land” within each municipality for all public utilities except qualified wholesale electric companies, as defined in s. 76.28 (1) (gm), or according to the value as reported to the department of revenue under par. (a) of the production plant within each municipality for each qualified wholesale electric company. The payment to each municipality under this subdivision shall be no less than $15,000 annually.

79.04(1)(c)3. 3. If a production plant with a nominal rated capacity of 200 megawatts or more is decommissioned or becomes nonutility property, the $75,000 minimum guaranteed payment under subd. 1. shall continue but diminish by $7,500 annually, except that the minimum guaranteed payment under this subdivision shall cease in the year following the first year in which the property becomes taxable by the taxation district. In this subdivision, “nonutility property” has the meaning set forth in the uniform system of accounts established by the public service commission. This subdivision does not apply after the distributions in 2004.

79.04(2) (2) 

79.04(2)(a) (a) Annually, except for production plants that begin operation after December 31, 2003, or begin operation as a repowered production plant after December 31, 2003, and except as provided in sub. (4m), the department of administration, upon certification by the department of revenue, shall distribute from the public utility account to any county having within its boundaries a production plant, general structure, or substation, used by a light, heat or power company assessed under s. 76.28 (2) or 76.29 (2), except property described in s. 66.0813 unless the production plant or substation is owned or operated by a local governmental unit that is located outside of the municipality in which the production plant or substation is located, or by an electric cooperative assessed under ss. 76.07 and 76.48, respectively, or by a municipal electric company under s. 66.0825 an amount determined by multiplying by 6 mills in the case of property in a town and by 3 mills in the case of property in a city or village the first $125,000,000 of the amount shown in the account, plus leased property, of each public utility except qualified wholesale electric companies, as defined in s. 76.28 (1) (gm), on December 31 of the preceding year for “production plant, exclusive of land,” “general structures,” and “substations,” in the case of light, heat and power companies, electric cooperatives or municipal electric companies, for all property within the municipality in accordance with the system of accounts established by the public service commission or rural electrification administration, less depreciation thereon as determined by the department of revenue and less the value of treatment plant and pollution abatement equipment, as defined under s. 70.11 (21), as determined by the department of revenue plus an amount from the public utility account determined by multiplying by 6 mills in the case of property in a town, and 3 mills in the case of property in a city or village, of the total original cost of production plant, general structures, and substations less depreciation, land and approved waste treatment facilities of each qualified wholesale electric company, as defined in s. 76.28 (1) (gm), as reported to the department of revenue of all property within the municipality. The total of amounts, as depreciated, from the accounts of all public utilities for the same production plant is also limited to not more than $125,000,000. The amount distributable to a county under this subsection and sub. (6) in any year shall not exceed $100 times the population of the county, except that, beginning with payments in 2009, the amount distributable to a county under this subsection and sub. (6) in any year shall not exceed $125 times the population of the county.

79.04(2)(am) (am)

79.04(2)(am)1. 1. Beginning with the distribution under this subsection in 1991, and ending with the distribution under this subsection in 2008, the amount determined under par. (a) to value property used by a light, heat or power company in a county may not be less than the amount determined to value the property for the distribution to the county under this subsection in 1990, subject to subds. 2. and 3.

79.04(2)(am)2. 2. When a light, heat or power company no longer uses property described under par. (a) as production plant, substation, or general structure in a county, the amount established under subd. 1. shall be reduced by the proportion that the property that is no longer used bears to the total value of all property described in par. (a) in the county. The proportion shall be determined according to the proportional value of the property when the light, heat or power company stops using the property.

79.04(2)(am)3. 3. The amount of a distribution under this paragraph, as affected by subd. 1., may not exceed the per capita amount established under par. (a).

79.04(2)(b) (b) The payment under par. (a) for any county in which a production plant is located, which the public service commission certifies to the department of revenue will produce a nominal rated capacity of 200 megawatts or more, shall be not less than $75,000 annually, except that the amount distributable to a county in any year shall not exceed the per capita limit specified in par. (a).

79.04(3m) (3m) For purposes of determining the amount of the payments under subs. (1) and (2), the payments for a municipality and county in which an ash disposal facility that is owned and operated by an electric cooperative is operating prior to July 30, 2003, shall be calculated to include an amount that is equal to the net book value of the ash disposal facility multiplied by 2.

79.04(4) (4) 

79.04(4)(a) (a) Annually, in addition to the amounts distributed under subs. (1), (5), (6), and (7), the department of administration shall distribute $50,000 to a municipality if spent nuclear fuel is stored within the municipality on December 31 of the preceding year. If a spent nuclear fuel storage facility is located within one mile of a municipality, that municipality shall receive $10,000 annually and the municipality where that storage facility is located shall receive $40,000 annually.

79.04(4)(b) (b) Annually, in addition to the amounts distributed under subs. (2), (5), (6), and (7), the department of administration shall distribute $50,000 to a county if spent nuclear fuel is stored within the county on December 31 of the preceding year. If a spent nuclear fuel storage facility is located at a production plant located in more than one county, the payment shall be apportioned according to the formula under sub. (1) (c) 2., except that the formula, as it applies to municipalities in that subdivision, applies to counties in this paragraph. The payment under this paragraph may not be less than $10,000 annually.

79.04(4m) (4m) 

79.04(4m)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), beginning with distributions in 2009, for production plants described under subs. (1) and (2), if in any year the payments to the municipality and county in which the production plant is located would be greater under subs. (6) and (7) (c) 1. based on the production plant’s name-plate capacity than under sub. (1) or (2) based on the depreciated net book value of the production plant, the municipality and county shall receive payments under subs. (6) and (7) (c) 1., rather than under sub. (1) or (2), beginning in that year and in each year thereafter.

79.04(4m)(b) (b) For municipalities where production plants are located, if the combination of amounts determined for production plants under sub. (1) or under subs. (6) and (7) (c) 1. and the amounts determined for substations and general structures under sub. (1) are less for a municipality than the amount determined under sub. (1) based on the value of the property used to calculate the municipality’s payment in 1990, reduced to reflect the value of property that is no longer in use, the municipality’s payment shall be calculated under sub. (1) using the value of the property used to calculate the municipality’s payment in 1990, reduced to reflect the value of property no longer in use.

79.04(5) (5) 

79.04(5)(a) (a) If property that was exempt from the property tax under s. 70.112 (4) and that was used to generate power by a light, heat, or power company, except property under s. 66.0813, unless the production plant is owned or operated by a local governmental unit located outside of the municipality, or by an electric cooperative, or by a municipal electric company under s. 66.0825, is decommissioned, the municipality shall be paid, from the public utility account, an amount equal to the following percentages of the payment that the municipality received under this section during the last year that the property was exempt from the property tax:

79.04(5)(a)1. 1. In the first year that the property is taxable, 100 percent.

79.04(5)(a)2. 2. In the 2nd year that the property is taxable, 80 percent.

79.04(5)(a)3. 3. In the 3rd year that the property is taxable, 60 percent.

79.04(5)(a)4. 4. In the 4th year that the property is taxable, 40 percent.

79.04(5)(a)5. 5. In the 5th year that the property is taxable, 20 percent.

79.04(5)(b) (b) If property that was exempt from the property tax under s. 70.112 (4) and that was used to generate power by a light, heat, or power company, except property under s. 66.0813, unless the production plant is owned or operated by a local governmental unit located outside of the municipality, or by an electric cooperative, or by a municipal electric company under s. 66.0825, is decommissioned, the county shall be paid, from the public utility account, an amount equal to the following percentages of the payment the county received under this section during the last year that the property was exempt from the property tax:

79.04(5)(b)1. 1. In the first year that the property is taxable, 100 percent.

79.04(5)(b)2. 2. In the 2nd year that the property is taxable, 80 percent.

79.04(5)(b)3. 3. In the 3rd year that the property is taxable, 60 percent.

79.04(5)(b)4. 4. In the 4th year that the property is taxable, 40 percent.

79.04(5)(b)5. 5. In the 5th year that the property is taxable, 20 percent.

79.04(6) (6) 

79.04(6)(a) (a) Annually, beginning in 2005, for production plants that begin operation after December 31, 2003, or begin operation as a repowered production plant after December 31, 2003, except as provided in sub. (4m), the department of administration, upon certification by the department of revenue, shall distribute payments from the public utility account, as determined under par. (b), to each municipality and county in which a production plant is located, if the production plant has a name-plate capacity of at least one megawatt and is used by a light, heat, or power company assessed under s. 76.28 (2) or 76.29 (2), except property described in s. 66.0813, unless the production plant is owned or operated by a local governmental unit located outside of the municipality; by a qualified wholesale electric company, as defined in s. 76.28 (1) (gm); by a wholesale merchant plant, as defined in s. 196.491 (1) (w); by an electric cooperative assessed under ss. 76.07 and 76.48, respectively; or by a municipal electric company under s. 66.0825.

79.04(6)(b) (b) Subject to pars. (c) and (d), each municipality entitled to a payment under par. (a) and each county in which such a municipality is located shall receive a payment equal to a portion of an amount that is equal to the number of megawatts that represents the production plant’s name-plate capacity, multiplied by $2,000.

79.04(6)(c) (c)

79.04(6)(c)1. 1. If the production plant is located in a city or village, the city or village receives a payment equal to two-thirds of the amount determined under par. (b) and the county in which the city or village is located receives a payment equal to one-third of the amount determined under par. (b). If the production plant is located in a town, the town receives a payment equal to one-third of the amount determined under par. (b), and the county in which the town is located receives a payment equal to two-thirds of the amount determined under par. (b). If a municipality is located in more than one county, the county in which the production plant is located shall receive the county portion of the payment.

79.04(6)(c)2. 2. For the purpose of determining the amount of the payment under par. (b), if a production plant is located in more than one municipality, the payment amount under par. (b) shall be divided among the municipalities in which the plant is located based on the net book value of that portion of the plant located in each municipality as of December 31, 2004, or as of the date on which the plant is operational, whichever is later.

79.04(6)(c)3. 3. For the purpose of determining the amount of the payment under par. (b), if a production plant is located in more than one county, the payment amount under par. (b) shall be divided among the counties in which the plant is located based on the net book value of that portion of the plant located in each county as of December 31, 2004, or as of the date on which the plant is operational, whichever is later.

79.04(6)(d) (d) The total amount distributable to a municipality under this subsection and sub. (1) in any fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to the municipality’s population multiplied by $300, and the total amount distributable to a county under this subsection and sub. (2) in any year shall not exceed an amount equal to the county’s population multiplied by $100.

79.04(7) (7) 

79.04(7)(a) (a) Beginning with payments in 2005, if a production plant, as described in sub. (6) (a), other than a nuclear-powered production plant, is built on the site of, or on a site adjacent to, an existing or decommissioned production plant; or is built on a site purchased by a public utility before January 1, 1980, that was identified in an advance plan as a proposed site for a production plant; or is built on, or on a site adjacent to, brownfields, as defined in s. 238.13 (1) (a) or s. 560.13 (1) (a), 2009 stats., after December 31, 2003, and has a name-plate capacity of at least one megawatt, each municipality and county in which such a production plant is located shall receive annually from the public utility account a payment in an amount that is equal to the number of megawatts that represents the production plant’s name-plate capacity, multiplied by $600. Beginning with payments in 2024, the multiplier is $900.

79.04(7)(b) (b) Beginning with payments in 2005, if a production plant, as described in sub. (6) (a), that is a baseload electric generating facility is built after December 31, 2003, and has a name-plate capacity of at least 50 megawatts, each municipality and county in which such a production plant is located shall receive annually from the public utility account a payment in an amount that is equal to the number of megawatts that represents the production plant’s name-plate capacity, multiplied by $600.

79.04(7)(c) (c)

79.04(7)(c)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., beginning with payments in 2005, if a production plant, as described in sub. (6) (a), that derives energy from an alternative energy resource is built after December 31, 2003, and has a name-plate capacity of at least one megawatt, each municipality and county in which such a production plant is located shall receive annually from the public utility account a payment in an amount that is equal to the number of megawatts that represents the production plant’s name-plate capacity, multiplied by $1,000. Beginning with payments in 2024, the multiplier is $1,500.