Chapter 59

59.10(2)(d)2. 2. ‘Election; term.’ Any amended plan enacted under subd. 1. becomes effective on the first November 15 following its enactment, and first applies to the spring election following the plan’s effective date. Any amended plan enacted under subd. 1. shall remain in effect until the effective date of a redistricting plan subsequently enacted under par. (a). Supervisors elected from the districts created under subd. 1. shall serve for 4-year terms and shall take office on the 3rd Monday in April following their election.

59.10(3) (3) Other counties.

59.10(3)(a) (a) Classification; maximum number of supervisors. Counties with a population of less than 750,000 and more than one town are classified and entitled to a maximum number of supervisors as follows:

59.10(3)(a)1. 1. Counties with a population of less than 750,000 but at least 100,000 shall have no more than 47 supervisors.

59.10(3)(a)2. 2. Counties with a population of less than 100,000 but at least 50,000 shall have no more than 39 supervisors.

59.10(3)(a)3. 3. Counties with a population of less than 50,000 but at least 25,000 shall have no more than 31 supervisors.

59.10(3)(a)4. 4. Counties with a population of less than 25,000 and containing more than one town shall have no more than 21 supervisors.

59.10(3)(a)5. 5. If the population of any county is within 2 percent of the minimum population for the next most populous grouping under this paragraph, the board thereof, in establishing supervisory districts, may employ the maximum number for such districts set for such next most populous grouping.

59.10(3)(b) (b) Creation of supervisory districts.

59.10(3)(b)1. 1. Within 60 days after the population count by census block, established in the decennial federal census of population, and maps showing the location and numbering of census blocks become available in printed form from the federal government or are published for distribution by an agency of this state, but no later than July 1 following the year of each decennial census, each board shall propose a tentative county supervisory district plan setting forth the number of supervisory districts proposed by the board and tentative boundaries or a description of boundary requirements, hold a public hearing on the proposed plan and adopt a tentative plan. The proposed plan may be amended after the public hearing. The tentative plan shall divide the county into a number of districts equal to the number of supervisors, with each district substantially equal in population. The board shall solicit suggestions from municipalities concerning the development of an appropriate plan. Except as authorized in this subdivision, each district shall consist of whole wards or municipalities. Territory within each supervisory district to be created under the tentative plan shall be contiguous, except as authorized in subd. 2. In the tentative plan, the board shall, whenever possible, place whole contiguous municipalities or contiguous parts of the same municipality within the same district. If the division of a municipality is sought by the board, the board shall provide with the plan a written statement to the municipality affected by each proposed division specifying the approximate location of the territory from which a ward is sought to be created for contiguity purposes and the approximate population of the ward proposed to effectuate the division. The tentative plan shall not include provision for division of any census block unless the block is bisected by a municipal boundary or unless a division is required to enable creation of supervisory districts that are substantially equal in population. The board shall transmit a copy of the tentative plan that is adopted to each municipal governing body in the county.

59.10(3)(b)2. 2. Within 60 days after every municipality in the county adjusts its wards under s. 5.15, the board shall hold a public hearing and shall then adopt a final supervisory district plan, numbering each district. Territory within each supervisory district created by the plan shall be contiguous, except that one or more wards located within a city or village which is wholly surrounded by another city or water, or both, may be combined with one or more noncontiguous wards, or one or more wards consisting of island territory as defined in s. 5.15 (2) (f) 3. may be combined with one or more noncontiguous wards within the same municipality, to form a supervisory district.

59.10(3)(b)3. 3. The populations of supervisory districts under the tentative plan shall be determined on the basis of the federal decennial census and any official corrections to the census issued on or before the date that the tentative plan is adopted to reflect the correct population of the county and municipalities and blocks within the county on April 1 of the year of the census. The populations of supervisory districts under the final plan shall be determined on the basis of the federal decennial census and any official corrections to the census to reflect the correct populations of the county and the municipalities and blocks within the county on April 1 of the year of the census, if the corrections as they affect any municipality are issued prior to division of the municipality into wards under s. 5.15, or if a municipality is not divided into wards, prior to adoption of the final plan.

59.10(3)(b)4. 4. The chairperson of the board shall file a certified copy of the final districting plan with the secretary of state. Unless otherwise ordered under sub. (6), a plan enacted and filed under this paragraph, together with any authorized amendment that is enacted and filed under this section, remains in effect until the plan is superseded by a subsequent plan enacted under this subsection and a certified copy of that plan is filed with the secretary of state.

59.10(3)(c) (c) Changes during decade; municipal boundary adjustments.

59.10(3)(c)1. 1. After the enactment of a plan of supervisory districts under par. (b), the board may amend the plan to reflect a municipal incorporation, annexation, detachment or consolidation. The number of supervisory districts in the county shall not be changed by any action under this subdivision.

59.10(3)(c)2. 2. Within 60 days after enactment or adoption of a revised division ordinance or resolution under s. 5.15 (4) (a), the board shall amend the county supervisory district plan under par. (b) to reflect any renumbering of the wards specified in the plan.

59.10(3)(c)3. 3. The districts under the amended plan shall be substantially equal in population according to the most recent countywide federal census and shall be in as compact a form as possible. The board shall adhere to the requirements of par. (b) 2. with regard to contiguity and shall, to the extent possible, place whole contiguous municipalities or contiguous parts of the same municipality within the same district. In the amended plan, the original numbers of the districts in their geographic outlines, to the extent possible, shall be retained. An amended plan becomes effective on the first November 15 following its enactment.

59.10(3)(c)4. 4. The chairperson of the board shall file a certified copy of any amended plan under this paragraph with the secretary of state.

59.10(3)(cm) (cm) Changes during decade; reduction in size.

59.10(3)(cm)1. 1. ‘Number of supervisors; redistricting.’ Except as provided in subd. 3., following the enactment of a decennial supervisory district plan under par. (b), the board may decrease the number of supervisors. In that case, the board shall redistrict, readjust, and change the boundaries of supervisory districts, so that the number of districts equals the number of supervisors, the districts are substantially equal in population according to the most recent countywide federal census, the districts are in as compact a form as possible, and the districts consist of contiguous municipalities or contiguous whole wards in existence at the time at which the redistricting plan is adopted, except as authorized in par. (b) 1. In the redistricting plan, the board shall adhere to the requirements under par. (b) 2. with regard to contiguity and shall, to the extent possible, place whole contiguous municipalities or contiguous parts of the same municipality within the same district. In redistricting under this subdivision, the original numbers of the districts in their geographic outlines, to the extent possible, shall be retained. No plan may be enacted under this subdivision during review of the sufficiency of a petition filed under subd. 2. nor after a referendum is scheduled on such a petition. However, if the electors of the county reject a change in the number of supervisory districts under subd. 2., the board may then take action under this subdivision except as provided in subd. 3. The county clerk shall file a certified copy of any redistricting plan enacted under this subdivision with the secretary of state.

59.10(3)(cm)2. 2. ‘Petition and referendum.’ Except as provided in subd. 3., the electors of a county may, by petition and referendum, decrease the number of supervisors at any time after the first election is held following enactment of a decennial supervisory district plan under par. (b). A petition for a change in the number of supervisors may be filed with the county clerk. Prior to circulating a petition to decrease the number of supervisors in any county, a petitioner shall register with the county clerk, giving the petitioner’s name and address and indicating the petitioner’s intent to file such a petition. No signature on a petition is valid unless the signature is obtained within the 60-day period following such registration. The petition shall specify the proposed number of supervisors to be elected. Within 14 days after the last day for filing an original petition, any other petitioner may file an alternative petition with the county clerk proposing a different number of supervisors to be elected, and, if the petition is valid, the alternative proposed in the petition shall be submitted for approval at the same referendum. An alternative petition is subject to the same registration and signature requirements as an original petition. Each petition shall be in the form specified in s. 8.40 and shall contain a number of signatures of electors of the county equal to at least 25 percent of the total votes cast in the county for the office of supervisor at the most recent spring election preceding the date of filing. The county clerk shall promptly determine the sufficiency of a petition filed under this subdivision. Upon determination that a petition is sufficient, or if one or more valid alternative petitions are filed, upon determination that the petitions are sufficient, the county clerk shall call a referendum concurrently with the next spring or general election in the county that is held not earlier than 70 days after the determination is made. The question proposed at the referendum shall be: “Shall the board of supervisors of .... County be decreased from .... members to .... members?”. If one or more alternative valid petitions are filed within 14 days after the last day that an original petition may be filed, the question relating to the number of supervisors shall appear separately. The first question shall be: “Shall the size of the county board of supervisors of .... County be decreased from its current membership of .... members?”. Any subsequent question shall be: “If so, shall the size of the board be decreased to .... members?”. Each elector may vote in the affirmative or negative on the first question and may then vote in the affirmative on one of the remaining questions. If the first question is not approved by a majority of the electors voting on the question, any subsequent question is of no effect. If the question is approved by a majority of the electors voting on the question, or, if more than one question is submitted, if the first question is approved by a majority of the electors voting on the question, the board shall enact an ordinance prescribing revised boundaries for the supervisory districts in the county. The ordinance shall be enacted in accordance with the approved question or, if more than one question is submitted, in accordance with the choice receiving a plurality of the votes cast. The districts are subject to the same requirements that apply to districts in any plan enacted by the board under subd. 1. If the board has determined under sub. (1) (b) to adopt staggered terms for the office of supervisor, the board may change the expiration date of the term of any supervisor to an earlier date than the date provided under current ordinance if required to implement the redistricting or to maintain classes of members. The county clerk shall file a certified copy of any redistricting plan enacted under this subdivision with the secretary of state.

59.10(3)(cm)3. 3. ‘Limitation.’ If the number of supervisors in a county is decreased by the board or by petition under this paragraph, no further action may be taken by the board or by petition under this paragraph in that county until after enactment of the next decennial supervisory district plan by the board under par. (b).

59.10(3)(cm)4. 4. ‘Election; term.’ Any redistricting plan enacted under subd. 1. takes effect on November 15 following its enactment and first applies to the election of supervisors at the next spring election following the effective date that immediately precedes the expiration of the terms of office of supervisors in the county. Any reduction in the number of supervisory districts under subd. 2. that is approved at a spring election shall be enacted in the form of a redistricting plan no later than November 15 following that election and shall first apply to the election of supervisors at the next spring election immediately preceding the expiration of the terms of office of supervisors in the county, and any reduction in the number of supervisory districts under subd. 2. that is approved at a general election shall be enacted in the form of a redistricting plan no later than the 2nd succeeding November 15 following that election and shall first apply to the election of supervisors at the next spring election following that November 15 immediately preceding the expiration of the terms of office of supervisors in the county. Any redistricting plan enacted under subd. 1. or 2. shall remain in effect until the effective date of any subsequent redistricting plan enacted under sub. (3) (c) or until the effective date of a redistricting plan subsequently enacted under par. (b). Supervisors elected from the districts created under subd. 1. or 2. shall serve for 2-year terms and shall take office on the 3rd Tuesday in April following their election.

59.10(3)(d) (d) Election and term of supervisors. Supervisors are county officers, shall be elected for 2-year terms at the election to be held on the first Tuesday in April in even-numbered years and shall take office on the 3rd Tuesday in April of that year.

59.10(3)(e) (e) Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs on the board, the board chairperson, with the approval of the board, shall appoint a person who is a qualified elector and resident of the supervisory district to fill the vacancy. The successor shall serve for the unexpired portion of the term to which the person is appointed, unless the board orders a special election to fill the vacancy, in which case the person appointed shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified. The board may, if a vacancy occurs before June 1 in the year preceding expiration of the term of office, order a special election to fill the vacancy. If the board orders a special election during the period beginning on June 1 and ending on November 30 of any year, the special election shall be held concurrently with the succeeding spring election. If the board orders a special election during the period beginning on December 1 and ending on May 31 of the succeeding year, the special election shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November following the date of the order. A person so elected shall serve for the residue of the unexpired term.

59.10(3)(f) (f) Compensation. Each supervisor shall be paid a per diem by the county for each day that he or she attends a meeting of the board. Any board may, at its annual meeting, by a two-thirds vote of all the members, fix the compensation of the board members to be next elected. Any board may also provide additional compensation for the chairperson.

59.10(3)(g) (g) Mileage. Each supervisor shall, for each day that he or she attends a meeting of the board, receive mileage for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the meetings by the most usual traveled route at the rate established by the board under s. 59.22 as the standard mileage allowance for all county employees and officers.

59.10(3)(h) (h) Limitation on compensation. Except for services as a member of a committee as provided in s. 59.13 no supervisor shall be paid for more days’ attendance on the board in any year than is set out in this schedule: in counties having a population of less than 25,000, 20 days; at least 25,000 but less than 100,000, 25 days; at least 100,000 but less than 750,000, 30 days.

59.10(3)(i) (i) Alternative compensation. As an alternative method of compensation, in counties having a population of less than 750,000, including counties containing only one town, the board may at its annual meeting, by a two-thirds vote of the members entitled to a seat, fix the compensation of the supervisors to be next elected at an annual salary for all services for the county including all committee services, except the per diem allowance for services in acquiring highway rights-of-way set forth in s. 84.09 (4). The board may, in like manner, allow additional salary for the members of the highway committee and for the chairperson of the board. In addition to the salary, the supervisors shall receive mileage as provided in par. (g) for each day’s attendance at board meetings or for attendance at not to exceed 2 committee meetings in any one day.

59.10(3)(j) (j) Supplementary compensation. The board, in establishing an annual salary, may enact an ordinance providing for a per diem for all committee meetings attended in excess of 40 committee and board meetings.

59.10(4) (4) Compatibility. No county officer or employee is eligible for election or appointment to the office of supervisor, but a supervisor may also be a member of a committee, board or commission appointed by the county executive or county administrator or appointed or created by the county board, a town board, a mosquito control district, the common council of his or her city, the board of trustees of his or her village or the board of trustees of a county institution appointed under s. 46.18.

59.10(5) (5) Counties having only one town. In all counties containing one town only, the board shall consist of the members of the town board and one supervisor from every village. A supervisor from a village shall be elected at the time the other village officers are elected. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum of the county board. Each supervisor shall receive compensation and mileage as provided in sub. (3) (f) and (g). The chairperson of the board elected under s. 59.12 (1) may be, but need not be, the same person who is elected chairperson of the town board under s. 60.21 (3) (a).

59.10(6) (6) Enforcement of division requirement. If a county fails to comply with sub. (2) (a) or (3) (b), any municipality located in whole or in part within the county or any elector of the county may submit to the circuit court for the county within 14 days from the expiration of either 60-day period under sub. (2) (a) or (3) (b) a proposed tentative supervisory district plan or a final plan for creation of supervisory districts in compliance with this section. If the court finds that the existing division of the county into supervisory districts fails to comply with this section, it shall review the plan submitted by the petitioner and after reasonable notice to the county may promulgate the plan, or any other plan in compliance with this section, and the plan shall be in effect until superseded by a plan adopted by the board in compliance with this section.

59.10 History History: 1971 c. 134, 211, 304; 1973 c. 118 ss. 2 to 4, 7; 1973 c. 334 s. 57; 1973 c. 336; 1975 c. 93 s. 113; 1975 c. 116, 200; 1977 c. 427; 1979 c. 34, 89, 122, 260; 1981 c. 4, 390; 1983 a. 29; 1983 a. 192 ss. 115, 303 (1), (2); 1983 a. 484; 1983 a. 532 s. 36; 1985 a. 29, 304; 1989 a. 56 s. 258; 1991 a. 5, 316; 1993 a. 490; 1995 a. 16 s. 2; 1995 a. 201 s. 100; Stats. 1995 s. 59.10; 1997 a. 35; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2001 a. 107; 2003 a. 32; 2005 a. 100, 235, 248; 2007 a. 72, 97; 2011 a. 39, 75; 2013 a. 14; 2015 a. 196; 2017 a. 207 s. 5.

59.10 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See s. 17.21 (5) for provision as to filling vacancies on county boards in counties over 750,000.

59.10 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See s. 59.20 (1) for county supervisor residency requirements.

59.10 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See s. 66.0505 for restrictions on changes in compensation of county board members.

59.10 Annotation Judicial relief is available if a county fails to follow the statutory requirements for redistricting. City of Janesville v. County of Rock, 107 Wis. 2d 187, 319 N.W.2d 891 (Ct. App. 1982).

59.10 Annotation The court properly voided a city’s supervisory district plan and adopted the county’s plan even though the county did not adopt the plan within 60 days of receiving census data as required by sub. (3). County of La Crosse v. City of La Crosse, 108 Wis. 2d 560, 322 N.W.2d 531 (Ct. App. 1982).

59.10 Annotation Sub. (3) (a) does not establish a separate minimum for each class of county. Discussing the constitutionality of sub. (3) (a). 60 Atty. Gen. 327.

59.10 Annotation A vacancy on a county board due to resignation may be filled by appointment by the county board chairperson when the board is not in session. 61 Atty. Gen. 1.

59.10 Annotation An incumbent county supervisor must resign before the county board may consider the supervisor’s appointment as highway commissioner. 61 Atty. Gen. 424.

59.10 Annotation A county board supervisor risks violations of s. 946.13 if the supervisor is appointed as counsel for indigent defendants. 62 Atty. Gen. 62, 118.

59.10 Annotation Under sub. (3) (c), alteration of county supervisory district boundaries between decennial censuses is authorized only when ward boundaries originally relied upon in reapportioning the county have been subsequently altered by incorporation, annexation, detachment, or consolidation. 63 Atty. Gen. 544.

59.10 Annotation Section 59.06 (2) (intro.) [now s. 59.13 (2) (intro.)] does not prohibit payment of additional mileage under s. 59.03 (3) (g) [now sub. (3) (g)]. 68 Atty. Gen. 73.

59.10 Annotation State law does not prohibit either discontinuation of all health insurance for county supervisors in self-organized counties during supervisors’ terms of office or modest but involuntary increases in health insurance premiums for county supervisors in self-organized counties during supervisors’ terms of office. OAG 5-11.

59.10 Annotation A tribal law enforcement officer who is an active duty deputy sheriff, but is not on the county’s payroll, may not serve as a county board supervisor. Under sub. (4), the office of county supervisor is incompatible with the office of active duty deputy sheriff, even if the deputy sheriff is not paid by the county. OAG 3-13.

59.10 Annotation The provision of health, dental, and life insurance and the payment of insurance premiums for county supervisors are not “compensation” under sub. (3). Thus the procedural requirements of that statute are inapplicable to motions or proposals to change those benefits. OAG 5-13.

59.11 59.11 Meetings; adjournment; absentees.

59.11(1) (1) 

59.11(1)(a) (a) Every board shall hold an annual meeting on the Tuesday after the 2nd Monday of November in each year for the purpose of transacting business. Any board may establish by rule an earlier date during October or November for the annual meeting and may by rule establish regular meeting dates throughout the year at which to transact general business. When the day of the meeting falls on November 11, the meeting shall be held on the next succeeding day.

59.11(1)(b) (b) The annual meeting may be adjourned by the clerk, upon the written request of a majority of the supervisors, to a day designated in the request, but not less than one week nor more than 3 weeks from the Tuesday after the 2nd Monday of November. Upon such an adjournment being made, the clerk shall give each supervisor written notice of the time and place to which the annual meeting has been adjourned.

59.11(1)(c) (c) The board, except in counties with a population of 750,000 or more, shall meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each April to organize and transact business. At this meeting the board may transact any business permitted at the annual meeting, including the appointment of all county commissions and committees. The meeting may be adjourned in the same manner as the annual meeting.

59.11(2) (2) A special meeting of the board shall be held:

59.11(2)(a) (a) Upon a written request of a majority of the supervisors delivered to the clerk, specifying the time and place of the meeting. The time shall not be less than 48 hours from the delivery of the request. Upon receiving the request the clerk shall immediately mail to each supervisor notice of the time and place of the meeting. Any special meeting may be adjourned by a vote of a majority of all the supervisors. The board by ordinance may establish a separate procedure for convening the board in a “declared emergency” as defined by county ordinance.

59.11(2)(b) (b) For the purposes and in the manner prescribed in s. 31.06, with the right to adjourn the special meeting from time to time by a vote of a majority of all the supervisors entitled to a seat. The clerk shall mail written notice of the special meeting, specifying the time, place and purpose of the meeting, to each supervisor not less than 2 weeks before the day set for the meeting.

59.11(2)(c) (c) In a county with a population of 750,000 or more, upon a written request of the county executive delivered to the clerk which must have been approved by the county board chairperson, specifying the time and place of the meeting. The time shall not be less than 48 hours from the delivery of the request. Upon receiving the request and the approval of the county board chairperson, the clerk shall immediately mail to each supervisor notice of the time and place of the meeting. Any special meeting may be adjourned by a vote of a majority of all the supervisors.

59.11(3) (3) All meetings shall be held in the county at places that are designated by the board. The board shall give adequate public notice of the time, place and purpose of each meeting.

59.11(4) (4) The board shall sit with open doors, and all persons conducting themselves in an orderly manner may attend. If any supervisor misses or leaves a meeting of the board without good cause or without being first excused by the board, the chairperson may issue a warrant requiring the sheriff or some constable immediately to arrest and bring the supervisor before the board. The expenses of the arrest shall be deducted from the pay of the member unless otherwise directed by the board. The board may punish its members for infraction of its rules by imposing the penalty provided in the rules.

59.11(5) (5) The board may appropriate funds to broadcast by radio or television, or to tape and rebroadcast, any meeting of the board held under this section.

59.11 History History: 1971 c. 68, 307; 1975 c. 41, 109; 1983 a. 192; 1995 a. 201 ss. 105, 233; Stats. 1995 s. 59.11; 2013 a. 14; 2017 a. 207 s. 5.

59.11 Annotation A county clerk can adjourn a regular meeting of the county board when requested by a majority of the elected members of the board. 61 Atty. Gen. 352.

59.12 59.12 Chairperson; vice chairperson; powers and duties.

59.12(1) (1) The board, at the first meeting after each regular election at which members are elected for full terms, shall elect a member chairperson. The chairperson shall perform all duties required of the chairperson until the board elects a successor. The chairperson may administer oaths to persons required to be sworn concerning any matter submitted to the board or a committee of the board or connected with their powers or duties. The chairperson shall countersign all ordinances of the board, and shall preside at meetings when present. When directed by ordinance the chairperson shall countersign all county orders, transact all necessary board business with local and county officers, expedite all measures resolved upon by the board and take care that all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to county government are enforced.

59.12(2) (2) The board at the time of the election of the chairperson shall also elect a member vice chairperson, for the same term, who in case of the absence or disability of the chairperson shall perform the chairperson’s duties. The board at the time of the election of the chairperson may also elect a member 2nd vice chairperson, for the same term, who in case of the absence or disability of the chairperson and vice chairperson shall perform the duties of the chairperson. Except for the board of a county with a population of 750,000 or more, the board may provide for the payment of additional compensation to the vice chairpersons.

59.12(3) (3) In case of the absence of a chairperson for any meeting the members present shall choose another member to be temporary chairperson.

59.12 History History: 1977 c. 259; 1983 a. 192 ss. 120, 303 (1); 1985 a. 29; 1995 a. 201 s. 106; Stats. 1995 s. 59.12; 2013 a. 14.

59.12 Annotation A county board cannot adopt a resolution that infringes on the power of a succeeding board to elect its chairperson and vice chairperson. 61 Atty. Gen. 108.

59.12 Annotation Removal of the chairperson of a county board may be at the will of a simple majority of the board under this section. Section 17.10 is inapplicable. Nothing in this section requires the county board to have any particular reason for removing its chairperson. An incumbent chairperson may be removed at will by the county board simply by voting to elect someone else to that position. OAG 1-07.

59.13 59.13 Committees; appointment; compensation.

59.13(1) (1) The board may, by resolution designating the purposes and prescribing the duties thereof and manner of reporting, authorize their chairperson to appoint before June 1 in any year committees from the members of the board, and the committees so appointed shall perform the duties and report as prescribed in the resolution.

59.13(2) (2) Except as provided under sub. (3), committee members shall receive such compensation for their services as the board allows, not exceeding the per diem and mileage allowed to members of the board and the committee members shall receive such compensation, mileage and reimbursement for other expenses as the board allows for their attendance at any school, institute or meeting which the board directs them to attend. No supervisor shall be allowed pay for committee service while the board is in session, nor for mileage except in connection with services performed within the time limited under this subsection. The number of days for which compensation and mileage may be paid a committee member in any year, except members of committees appointed to have charge of the erection of any county building, and except as otherwise provided by law, are limited as follows:

59.13(2)(a) (a) In counties containing less than 25,000 population, to 20 days, not more than 10 of which shall be for services on any one committee, except that the board may increase the number of committee meetings under par. (b) and similarly fix the compensation of the members for the additional meetings.

59.13(2)(b) (b) In counties with a population of 25,000 or more, to 30 days for services on committees, except that the board may, by a two-thirds vote of the members present, increase the number of days for which compensation and mileage may be paid in any year and fix the compensation for each additional day.

59.13(3) (3) A supervisor in a county with a population of 750,000 or more may not accept any compensation in addition to his or her regular salary for serving as a member of any committee, board or commission appointed by the county board or by the county executive.

59.13 History History: 1983 a. 192 s. 303 (1); 1985 a. 29; 1995 a. 201 s. 107; Stats. 1995 s. 59.13; 2017 a. 207 s. 5.

59.13 Annotation A county board may not delegate appointment of committee members to a committee of the board. 61 Atty. Gen. 214.

59.13 Annotation Section 59.06 (2) (intro.) [now sub. (2) (intro.)] does not prohibit payment of additional mileage under s. 59.03 (3) (g) [now s. 59.10 (3) (g)]. 68 Atty. Gen. 73.

59.13 Annotation County board resolutions creating special or standing committees under this section or creating rules of procedure relative to executive matters or the administration of law are subject to veto in counties under 500,000 [now 750,000]. 68 Atty. Gen. 182.

59.13 Annotation Discussing a county board’s power to delegate authority concerning property transactions to its committees. 74 Atty. Gen. 227.

59.13 Annotation Except in self-organized counties under s. 59.03 (1) [now s. 59.10 (1)], a county board may not establish multiple per diem compensation for attendance at more than one committee meeting on the same day on days when the county board is not in session. 79 Atty. Gen. 122.

59.14 59.14 Publication of ordinances and proceedings.

59.14(1) (1) Whenever a board enacts an ordinance under this chapter the clerk shall immediately publish the ordinance either in its entirety, as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, or as a notice, as described under sub. (1m) (b); and the clerk shall procure and distribute copies of the ordinance to the several town clerks, who shall file it in their respective offices.

59.14(1m) (1m) 

59.14(1m)(a) (a) In this subsection, “summary” means a brief, precise, and plain-language description that can be easily understood.

59.14(1m)(b) (b) A notice of an ordinance that may be published under this subsection shall be published as a class 1 notice under ch. 985 and shall contain at least all of the following:

59.14(1m)(b)1. 1. The number and title of the ordinance.

59.14(1m)(b)2. 2. The date of enactment.

59.14(1m)(b)3. 3. A summary of the subject matter and main points of the ordinance.