STATE OF WISCONSIN
Town of ________
________ County
SECTION I – TITLE AND PURPOSE
This ordinance is entitled the Town of ________ Alternative Claims Procedure Ordinance. The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize an alternative procedure for approving financial claims against the town that are in the nature of bills and vouchers.
SECTION II – AUTHORITY
The Town Board of the Town of ________ ________ County, Wisconsin, has the specific authority under
s. 60.44 (2), Wis. stats., to adopt this ordinance.
SECTION III – ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE
This ordinance, adopted by a majority of the town board on a roll call vote with a quorum present and voting and proper notice having been given, establishes an alternative procedure for approving financial claims against the town that are in the nature of bills and vouchers as provided in this ordinance.
SECTION IV – APPLICABILITY
[Payments of claims against the town may be made from the town treasury under the procedure established in Section V for bills or vouchers not in excess of $________.
or
Payments of claims against the town may be made from the town treasury under the procedure established in Section V for bills or vouchers that are of a routine nature, namely: ______________________ (list specific types of bills that may be paid using this procedure, e.g., payroll, utility charges, etc.).]
SECTION V – PROCEDURE
A. Subject to the restrictions under Section IV, the payment of a claim against the town may be made from the town treasury if the town clerk approves in writing the claim as a proper charge against the town treasury. A claim against the town is a proper charge against the town treasury if the clerk determines that all of the following conditions have been met:
1. Funds are available under the town budget to pay the bill or voucher.
2. The item or service covered by the bill or voucher has been authorized by the town board or an authorized town official, agent, or employee.
3. The item or service covered by the bill or voucher has been supplied or rendered in conformity with the authorization.
4. The claim appears to be a valid claim against the town.
B. The town clerk may require submission of proof to determine compliance with the conditions under subsection A prior to approval. (For example, the clerk may require verification of quantity, quality, etc., by another town official or employee.)
C.
After determining that the conditions under subsection A have been met, the clerk shall indicate approval of the claim by placing his or her signature on the bill or voucher. Upon approval of a bill or voucher under this procedure, the clerk shall prepare and sign a check and have it countersigned by the town treasurer and the town chairperson, pursuant to
s. 66.0607, Wis. stats. The treasurer shall then mail or deliver the completed checks to the appropriate parties.
D. At least monthly, the town clerk shall file with the town board a written list of claims approved pursuant to this ordinance. The list shall include the date paid, name of claimant, purpose, and amount.
SECTION VI - SUBDIVISION AND NUMBERING OF THIS ORDINANCE
This ordinance is divided into sections designated by uppercase Roman numerals. Sections may be divided into subsections designated by uppercase letters. Subsections may be divided into paragraphs designated by numbers. Reference to a “section,” “subsection,” or “paragraph” includes all divisions of the referenced section, subsection, or paragraph.
SECTION VII - SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision of application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
SECTION VIII – EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance is effective on publication or posting.
The town clerk shall properly post or publish this ordinance as required under
s. 60.80, Wis. stats.
Adopted this ________ day of ________, 20__.
[Signatures of town board]
Attest: [Signature of town clerk]
