Chapter 33

33.33 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1975 c. 197; 1981 c. 20; 1989 a. 159; 2003 a. 275.

33.33 Annotation It is not always necessary for the petitioner in a detachment proceeding to prove that there has been a change in circumstances since the district was created. The finding of benefit to property required under s. 33.26 (3) in forming a district is not the same as the finding that the property is not benefited as required under s. 33.33 (3) to detach a property form the district. The s. 33.26 (3) finding is general and predictive. Section 33.33 (3) requires an individualized evaluation of property under present circumstances. Donaldson v. Board of Commissioners of Rock-Koshkonong Lake District, 2004 WI 67, 272 Wis. 2d 146, 680 N.W.2d 762, 01-3396.

33.33 Annotation Although not specified, the right to review under sub. (3) is by statutory certiorari. Donaldson v. Board of Commissioners of Rock-Koshkonong Lake District, 2004 WI 67, 272 Wis. 2d 146, 680 N.W.2d 762, 01-3396.

33.35 33.35 Dissolution of districts. A petition to dissolve an existing district created under this chapter may not be considered at an annual meeting of the district unless an elector within the district or a property owner within the district notifies the district board of commissioners in writing at least 90 days before the annual meeting that the elector or property owner intends to petition for dissolution at that annual meeting. The notice of the annual meeting must include a statement that a petition to dissolve the district will be considered. The district may be dissolved upon a two-thirds vote of the electors and property owners present at the annual meeting. The county board shall by order dissolve the district following receipt of the petition if the county board finds that one or more of the standards for the creation of a district under s. 33.26 (3) are not met. The order for dissolution shall be conditioned upon proper petition to the circuit court and appointment of a receiver to administer the winding up of the district under the supervision of the court and a final order of the court. The attorney general shall represent the state and shall be a party to every dissolution proceeding where state money is involved.

33.35 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1989 a. 159.

33.36 33.36 Alteration of districts.

33.36(1) (1) Whenever any territory that contains an entire district is incorporated as a city or village, consolidated with a city or village or annexed to a city or village, the district shall survive and shall be subject to s. 33.23.

33.36(2) (2) Whenever any territory containing less than an entire district is incorporated as a city or village, consolidated with a city or village or is annexed to a city or village, the district shall survive, and the district shall continue to operate under this chapter, subject to the following modifications:

33.36(2)(a) (a) The district shall exercise only those powers granted under this chapter. Sanitary district powers shall not be exercised unless consent for such exercise is obtained in advance from the governing body of the city or village.

33.36(2)(b) (b) The governing body of the city, village or town having the largest portion by valuation of the district within its jurisdiction shall make the appointment under s. 33.28.

33.36(2)(c) (c) Ownership of any water or sewerage system shall be determined according to s. 60.79 (2) (d).

33.36 History History: 1975 c. 197; 1983 a. 532 s. 36; 1989 a. 159.

33.37 33.37 Districts in more than one county.

33.37(1) (1) Where the proposed district is in more than one county, the county board of the county within which the largest portion, by valuation, of the proposed district lies shall have jurisdiction under ss. 33.24 to 33.28.

33.37(2) (2) The county within which the largest portion, by valuation, of a district lies shall have jurisdiction on motions for attachment under s. 33.33 (2) (b) and on petitions for dissolution under s. 33.35.

33.37 History History: 1977 c. 391.

subch. V of ch. 33 SUBCHAPTER V

DANE COUNTY LAKES AND WATERSHED COMMISSION

33.41 33.41 Definitions. In this subchapter:

33.41(1) (1) “Board of commissioners” means the board of commissioners of the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission.

33.41(1m) (1m) “Commission” means the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission created under s. 33.42.

33.41(2) (2) “County” means Dane County.

33.41(3) (3) “County board” means the county board of the county.

33.41(5g) (5g) “Municipality” means any city, village or town.

33.41 History History: 1989 a. 324.

33.42 33.42 Creation. There is created a Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission as part of county government. The board of commissioners shall govern the commission.

33.42 History History: 1989 a. 324.

33.44 33.44 Board of commissioners; composition.

33.44(1) (1) The board of commissioners shall consist of the following persons, all of whom shall be residents of the county:

33.44(1)(a) (a) The county executive of the county or his or her designee.

33.44(1)(b) (b) The mayor of the city of Madison or his or her designee.

33.44(1)(c) (c) Two members who are supervisors on the county board and who represent supervisory districts located entirely outside the city of Madison.

33.44(1)(d) (d) Two members who are supervisors on the county board and who represent supervisory districts located entirely within the city of Madison.

33.44(1)(dm) (dm) One member who is a member of the Yahara Lakes Association.

33.44(1)(e) (e)

33.44(1)(e)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., one member who is not a supervisor on the county board, who resides in the city of Madison and whose name is on a list of at least 2 nominees submitted to the county executive by the mayor of the city of Madison.

33.44(1)(e)2. 2. If the list of nominees required under this paragraph is not submitted at least 60 days before the term of the member appointed under this paragraph expires or at least 60 days before the county executive must fill a vacancy under this paragraph, the county executive shall appoint a member who is not a supervisor on the county board and who resides in the city of Madison.

33.44(1)(f) (f)

33.44(1)(f)1. 1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 3., one member who is not a supervisor on the county board, who resides outside the city of Madison and whose name is on a list of at least 2 nominees submitted to the county executive by the Dane County Towns Association.

33.44(1)(f)2. 2. For terms subsequent to the initial term, the person appointed under this paragraph must reside outside the city of Madison and the person’s name must be on a list of at least 2 nominees submitted to the county executive by the Dane County Towns Association. Unless the person has served continuously as the member appointed under this paragraph for all previous terms, including the initial term, the person may not be a supervisor on the county board.

33.44(1)(f)3. 3. If the list of nominees required under this paragraph is not submitted at least 60 days before the term of the member appointed under this paragraph expires or at least 60 days before the county executive must fill a vacancy under this paragraph, the county executive shall appoint a member who resides outside the city of Madison and who either has served continuously as the member appointed under this paragraph for all previous terms, including the initial term, or who is not a supervisor on the county board.

33.44(1)(g) (g)

33.44(1)(g)1. 1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 3., one member who is not a supervisor on the county board, whose name is on a list of at least 2 nominees submitted to the county executive by a majority of the chief executives of the villages and cities, except the city of Madison, that are located at least partially in the county, and who is a resident of such a village or city.

33.44(1)(g)2. 2. For terms subsequent to the initial term, the person appointed under this paragraph must not be a supervisor on the county board. Unless the person has served continuously as the member appointed under this paragraph for all previous terms, including the initial term, the name of the person must be on a list submitted to the county executive by a majority of the chief executives of the villages and cities, except the city of Madison, that are located at least partially in the county, and the person must be a resident of such a village or city.

33.44(1)(g)3. 3. If the list of nominees, when required under this paragraph, is not submitted at least 60 days before the term of the member appointed under this paragraph expires or at least 60 days before the county executive must fill a vacancy under this paragraph, the county executive shall appoint a member who is not a supervisor on the county board and who either has served continuously as the member appointed under this paragraph for all previous terms, including the initial term, or who is a resident of a village or city, except the city of Madison, that is located at least partially within the county.

33.44(2) (2) The county executive shall appoint the members listed under sub. (1) (c) to (g) subject to confirmation by the county board.

33.44(2g) (2g) In making the appointments under sub. (1) (c) and (d), the county executive shall appoint persons who will represent the diverse interests of the urban and rural communities in improving the water quality and the scenic and environmental value of the county surface waters and groundwaters.

33.44(2m) (2m) The term of a member appointed under sub. (1) (c) to (g) begins on the 3rd Tuesday in April of the year in which the member is appointed and ends on the 3rd Tuesday in April in the 3rd year following the year in which the member is appointed.

33.44(3) (3) Six commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

33.44(5) (5) Commissioners shall be paid actual and necessary expenses incurred while conducting business of the commission and shall be paid the same per diem as members of county board committees.

33.44(6) (6) 

33.44(6)(a) (a) If a commissioner appointed under sub. (1) (c) or (d) is not reelected to be a supervisor on the county board during his or her term on the commission, he or she may continue to serve on the commission until the position is filled as provided in par. (b).

33.44(6)(b) (b) Vacancies occurring during the term of any commissioner appointed under sub. (1) (c) to (g) shall be filled within 90 days in the manner provided in s. 17.27 (1n). A commissioner appointed to fill a vacancy may be reappointed for subsequent full terms.

33.44(7) (7) The board of commissioners shall meet at least quarterly, and at other times on the call of the chairperson or on the petition of 6 of the members.

33.44(8) (8) Any action by the board of commissioners requires the affirmative vote of the majority of members present and voting.

33.44(9) (9) The board of commissioners shall elect a chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary from its members each year, and these officers shall have the following duties:

33.44(9)(a) (a) The chairperson shall preside at all meetings and all public hearings held by the board of commissioners.

33.44(9)(b) (b) The vice chairperson shall preside at any meeting or any public hearing held by the board of commissioners at which the chairperson is unable to preside.

33.44(9)(c) (c) The secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the board of commissioners and hearings held by it.

33.44 History History: 1989 a. 324; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 103.

33.445 33.445 Board of commissioners; duties.

33.445(1) (1) The board of commissioners shall initiate and coordinate surveys and research projects for the purpose of gathering data relating to the surface waters and groundwaters of the county.

33.445(2) (2) The board of commissioners shall maintain a liaison with agencies of the federal, state and local governments and other organizations that are involved in programs or projects designed to protect, rehabilitate and manage water resources.

33.445(3) (3) The board of commissioners shall develop a public information and education program on issues related to the surface waters and groundwaters of the county.

33.445 History History: 1989 a. 324; 2003 a. 33.

33.45 33.45 Board of commissioners; powers.

33.45(1) (1) The board of commissioners may develop and implement plans, projects or programs to do any or all of the following:

33.45(1)(a) (a) Improve the water quality and the scenic, economic and environmental value of the surface waters and the groundwaters of the county.

33.45(1)(b) (b) Protect or enhance the recreational use of the navigable waters of the county.

33.45(1)(c) (c) Coordinate and integrate, for efficient and effective cost management, any county programs or projects for the waters of the county that relate to any of the following:

33.45(1)(c)1. 1. Surface water and groundwater quality.

33.45(1)(c)2. 2. The recreational use of and public access to navigable waters.

33.45(1)(c)3. 3. Water safety and boating regulations.

33.45(1)(c)4. 4. Algae and aquatic plant management.

33.45(1)(d) (d) Reduce soil erosion and bring cropland soil erosion loss into conformance with s. 92.025.

33.45(2) (2) The board of commissioners may develop and propose to the county board programs or projects to make improvements to the navigable waters in the county including, but not limited to, constructing and maintaining public boat launching facilities, maintaining park or other open natural areas adjacent to the navigable waters, implementing shoreline maintenance requests, maintaining and improving locks and dredging waterways.

33.45(3) (3) The board of commissioners may create advisory committees as it considers necessary to apprise the board of commissioners of the information necessary to implement its duties and powers. The advisory committees may include, but are not limited to, representatives of the following: fishing groups; farmers; businesses; riparian and other real property owners; industry groups; public bodies; sailing clubs; boating clubs; environmentalists; scientists; conservationists; hunters; and water skiing, diving and other sports clubs.

33.45(4) (4) The board of commissioners may promulgate any rules necessary to implement the duties and powers granted to the board of commissioners.

33.45 History History: 1989 a. 324.

33.455 33.455 Regulation proposed by board of commissioners.

33.455(1) (1) Ordinances and local regulations. The board of commissioners may propose to the county board the adoption, modification or rescission of any ordinance or local regulation relating to boating, recreation or safety upon the navigable waters of the county.

33.455(2) (2) Minimum standards. The board of commissioners may propose to the county board minimum standards for local regulations and ordinances for municipalities and the county to protect and rehabilitate the water quality of the surface waters and groundwaters of the county that relate to any of the following:

33.455(2)(a) (a) The environmental control of land surfaces, which includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

33.455(2)(a)1. 1. Erosion control.

33.455(2)(a)2. 2. Construction site control.

33.455(2)(a)3. 3. Zoning of shorelands, wetlands and floodplains.

33.455(2)(a)4. 4. Subdivision of land under ch. 236.

33.455(2)(a)5. 5. Environmental control of agricultural land.

33.455(2)(a)6. 6. Other conservation programs or projects that relate to the environmental control of land surfaces.