66.0201(2)(dm)(dm) “Population” means the population of a local unit as shown by the last federal census or by any subsequent population estimate certified as acceptable by the department. 66.020366.0203 Procedure for incorporation of villages and cities. 66.0203(1)(1) Notice of intention. At least 10 days and not more than 20 days before the circulation of an incorporation petition, a notice setting forth that the petition is to be circulated and including an accurate description of the territory involved shall be published within the county in which the territory is located as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985. 66.0203(2)(a)(a) The petition for incorporation of a village or city shall be in writing signed by 50 or more persons who are both electors and freeholders in the territory to be incorporated if the population of the proposed village or city includes 300 or more persons; otherwise by 25 or more persons who are both electors and freeholders in the territory to be incorporated. 66.0203(2)(b)(b) The petition shall be addressed to and filed with the circuit court of a county in which all or a major part of the territory to be incorporated is located. The incorporation petition is void unless filed within 6 months of the date of publication of the notice of intention to circulate. 66.0203(2)(c)(c) The petition shall designate a representative of the petitioners, and an alternate, who shall be an elector or freeholder in the territory, and state that person’s address; describe the territory to be incorporated with sufficient accuracy to determine its location and have attached to the petition a scale map reasonably showing the boundaries of the territory; specify the current resident population of the territory by number in accordance with the definition given in s. 66.0201 (2) (dm); set forth facts substantially establishing the required standards for incorporation; and request the circuit court to order a referendum and to certify the incorporation of the village or city when it is found that all requirements have been met. 66.0203(2)(e)(e) No person who has signed a petition may withdraw his or her name from the petition. No additional signatures may be added after a petition is filed. 66.0203(2)(f)(f) The circulation of the petition shall commence not less than 10 days nor more than 20 days after the date of publication of the notice of intention to circulate. 66.0203(3)(a)(a) Upon the filing of the petition the circuit court shall by order fix a time and place for a hearing giving preference to the hearing over other matters on the court calendar. 66.0203(3)(b)(b) The court may by order allow costs and disbursements as provided for actions in circuit court in any proceeding under this subsection. 66.0203(3)(c)(c) The court may, upon notice to all parties who have appeared in the hearing and after a hearing on the issue of bond, order the petitioners or any of the opponents to post bond in an amount that it considers sufficient to cover disbursements. 66.0203(4)(a)(a) Notice of the filing of the petition and of the date of the hearing on the petition before the circuit court shall be published in the territory to be incorporated, as a class 2 notice, under ch. 985, and given by certified or registered mail to the clerk of each town in which the territory is located and to the clerk of each metropolitan municipality of the metropolitan community in which the territory is located. The mailing shall be not less than 10 days before the time set for the hearing. 66.0203(4)(b)1.1. A description of the territory sufficiently accurate to determine its location and a statement that a scale map reasonably showing the boundaries of the territory is on file with the circuit court. 66.0203(4)(b)3.3. The name and post-office address of the representative of the petitioners. 66.0203(4m)(4m) Incorporations involving portions of 2 towns. If the territory designated in the petition is comprised of portions of only 2 towns, the territory may not be incorporated unless the town board of each town adopts a resolution approving the incorporation. 66.0203(5)(5) Parties. Any governmental unit entitled to notice pursuant to sub. (4), any school district which lies at least partly in the territory or any other person found by the court to be a party in interest may become a party to the proceeding prior to the time set for the hearing. 66.0203(6)(6) Annexation resolution. Any municipality whose boundaries are contiguous to the territory may also file with the circuit court a certified copy of a resolution adopted by a two-thirds vote of the elected members of the governing body indicating a willingness to annex the territory designated in the incorporation petition. The resolution shall be filed at or prior to the hearing on the incorporation petition, or any adjournment granted for this purpose by the court. 66.0203(7)(a)(a) No action to contest the validity of an incorporation on any grounds, whether procedural or jurisdictional, may be commenced after 60 days from the date of issuance of the certificate of incorporation by the secretary of administration. 66.0203(7)(b)(b) An action contesting an incorporation shall be given preference in the circuit court. 66.0203(8)(a)(a) After the filing of the petition and proof of notice, the circuit court shall conduct a hearing at the time and place specified in the notice, or at a time and place to which the hearing is duly adjourned. 66.0203(8)(b)(b) On the basis of the hearing the circuit court shall find if the standards under s. 66.0205 are met. If the court finds that the standards are not met, the court shall dismiss the petition. Subject to par. (c), if the court finds that the standards are met the court shall refer the petition to the board. Upon payment of any fee imposed under s. 16.53 (14), the board shall determine whether the standards under s. 66.0207 are met.