Chapter 66

66.0719(1) (1) In this section:

66.0719(1)(a) (a) “Local governmental unit” has the meaning given in s. 66.0713 (1) (c).

66.0719(1)(b) (b) “Public improvement” has the meaning given in s. 66.0713 (1) (d).

66.0719(2) (2) If a special assessment is levied for any public improvement, any amount collected on that special assessment or received from the county shall be deposited in the general fund of the local governmental unit if the payment for the improvement was made out of its general fund, deposited in the funds and accounts of a public utility established under s. 66.0621 (4) (c) if the improvement was paid out of the proceeds of revenue obligations of the local governmental unit, or deposited in the debt service fund required for the payment of bonds or notes issued under ch. 67 if the improvement was paid out of the proceeds of the bonds or notes. That special assessment, when delinquent, shall be returned in trust for collection and the local governmental unit has the same rights as provided in s. 67.16 (2) (c).

66.0719 History History: 1999 a. 150 ss. 206, 520, 521; 2003 a. 321.

66.0721 66.0721 Special assessments on certain farmland or camps for construction of sewerage or water system.

66.0721(1) (1) In this section:

66.0721(1)(a) (a) “Agricultural use” has the meaning given in s. 91.01 (2) and includes any additional agricultural uses of land, as determined by the town sanitary district or town.

66.0721(1)(ae) (ae) “Camp” means all real property and the personal property situated therein, of any camp conducted by a nonprofit corporation, a charitable trust, or other nonprofit association that is described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is exempt from federal tax under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code and that is organized under the laws of this state, so long as the property is used primarily for camping for children and not for pecuniary profit of any individual.

66.0721(1)(b) (b) “Eligible farmland” means land that is eligible for farmland preservation tax credits under ss. 71.58 to 71.61 or 71.613.

66.0721(2) (2) Except as provided in sub. (3), no town sanitary district or town may levy any special assessment on eligible farmland or a camp for the construction of a sewerage or water system.

66.0721(3) (3) 

66.0721(3)(a) (a) If any eligible farmland or camp contains a structure that is connected to a sanitary sewer or public water system at the time, or after the time, that a town sanitary district or town first levies a special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system in the service area in which the eligible farmland or camp is located, the town sanitary district or town may levy a special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system on the eligible farmland or camp that includes that structure. If that connection is made after the first assessment, the town sanitary district or town may also charge interest, from the date that the connection is made, on the special assessment at an annual rate that does not exceed the average interest rate paid by the district or town on its obligations between the time the district or town first levies a special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system in the service area in which the eligible farmland or camp is located and the time it levies the special assessment on that eligible farmland or camp. That assessment may not exceed the equivalent of an assessment for that purpose on a square acre or, if the governing body of a town sanitary district or town so specifies by ordinance, the maximum size of any lot that is in that service area and that is not devoted exclusively to agricultural use or exclusively to use as a camp.

66.0721(3)(b) (b) If after an initial special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system is levied in a service area any eligible farmland or camp subject to par. (a) or exempted from a special assessment under sub. (2) is divided into 2 or more parcels at least one of which is not devoted exclusively to agricultural use or exclusively to use as a camp, the town sanitary district or town may levy on each parcel on which it has either levied a special assessment under par. (a) or has not levied a special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system a special assessment for that purpose that does not exceed the amount of the special assessment for that purpose that would have been levied on the parcel if the parcel had not been exempt under sub. (2) or that has already been levied under par. (a). The special assessment shall be apportioned among the parcels resulting from the division in proportion to their area. The town sanitary district or town may also charge interest, from the date the eligible farmland or camp is divided into 2 or more parcels at least one of which is not devoted exclusively to agricultural use or exclusively to use as a camp, on the special assessment at an annual rate that does not exceed the average interest rate paid by the district or town on its obligations between the time the district or town first levies a special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system in the service area in which the eligible farmland or camp is located and the time it levies the special assessment on that eligible farmland or camp under this paragraph. This paragraph does not apply to any eligible farmland or camp unless the town sanitary district or town records a lien on that eligible farmland or camp in the office of the register of deeds within 90 days after it first levies a special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system for the service area in which the eligible farmland or camp is located, describing either the applicability of par. (a) or the exemption under sub. (2) and the potential for a special assessment under this paragraph.

66.0721(3)(c) (c) If, after a town sanitary district or town first levies a special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system in a service area, the eligible farmland or camp in that service area exempted from the special assessment under sub. (2) is not devoted exclusively to agricultural use or exclusively to use as a camp for a period of one year or more, the town sanitary district or town may levy on that eligible farmland or camp the special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system that it would have levied if the eligible farmland or camp had not been exempt under sub. (2). The town sanitary district or town may also charge interest, from the date the eligible farmland or camp has not been devoted exclusively to agricultural use or exclusively to use as a camp for a period of at least one year, on the special assessment at an annual rate that does not exceed the average interest rate paid by the district or town on its obligations between the time the district or town first levies a special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system in the service area in which the eligible farmland or camp is located and the time it levies the special assessment on that eligible farmland or camp. This paragraph does not apply to any land unless the town or special purpose district records a lien on that eligible farmland or camp in the office of the register of deeds within 90 days after it first levies a special assessment for the construction of a sewerage or water system in the service area in which the eligible farmland or camp is located, describing the exemption under sub. (2) and the potential for a special assessment under this paragraph.

66.0721 History History: 1999 a. 150 ss. 208, 530; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0721; 2007 a. 226; 2009 a. 28.

66.0723 66.0723 Utilities, special assessments.

66.0723(1) (1) If a city, village or town constructs, extends or acquires by gift, purchase or otherwise a distribution system or a production or generating plant for the furnishing of light, heat or power to any municipality or its inhabitants, the city, village or town may assess all or some of the cost to the property benefited, whether abutting or not, in the same manner as is provided for the assessment of benefits under s. 66.0703.

66.0723(2) (2) Special assessments under this section may be made payable and certificates or bonds issued under s. 66.0713. In a city, village or town where no official paper is published, notice may be given by posting the notice in 3 public places in the city, village or town.

66.0723 History History: 1993 a. 246; 1999 a. 150 s. 233; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0723.

66.0725 66.0725 Assessment of condemnation benefits.

66.0725(1) (1) As a complete alternative to any other method provided by law, for the purpose of payment of the expenses, including the excess of damages and all other expenses and costs, incurred for the taking of private property for the purpose set forth in ss. 32.02 (1), 61.34 (3) and 62.22, the governing body of a town, city or village may, by resolution, levy and assess the whole or any part of the expenses, as a special assessment upon the property that the governing body determines is specially benefited by the taking. The governing body shall include in the levy the whole or any part of the excess of benefits over total damages, if any, and make a list of every lot or parcel of land assessed, the name of the owner, if known, and the amount levied on the property.

66.0725(2) (2) The resolution under sub. (1) shall be published as a class 2 notice, under ch. 985, with a notice that at the time and place stated the governing body will meet and hear objections to the assessment. If the resolution levies an assessment against property outside the corporate limits, notice shall be given by mailing a copy of the resolution and the notice by registered mail to the last-known address of the owner of the property. A copy of the resolution shall be filed with the clerk of the town in which the property is located.

66.0725(3) (3) At the time fixed the governing body shall meet and hear objections, and for that purpose may adjourn to a date set by the governing body, until the hearing is completed, and shall by resolution confirm or modify the assessment in whole or in part. At any time before the first day of the next November any party liable may pay the assessment to the town, city or village treasurer. On November 1, if the assessment remains unpaid, the treasurer shall make a certified statement showing what assessments under this section remain unpaid, and file the statement with the clerk, who shall place the unpaid assessments on the tax roll for collection.

66.0725(4) (4) The town clerk shall enter on the tax roll the benefits not offset by damages or an excess of benefits over damages which are levied as a special assessment under this section by a city or village on land in the town and shall collect the assessment in the same manner as other taxes. The assessments collected shall be paid over to the city or village treasurer to be applied in payment of any damages or excess of damages over benefits awarded by the assessment. If the amount of special assessments is insufficient to pay all damages or excess of damages over benefits awarded, the difference shall be paid by the city or village. Damages or excess of damages over benefits may be paid out of the fund before the collection of the special assessments and reimbursed when collected.

66.0725(5) (5) Any person against whose land an assessment of benefits is made under this section may appeal as prescribed in s. 32.06 (10) within 30 days of the adoption of the resolution required under sub. (3).

66.0725 History History: 1999 a. 150 s. 546; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0725.

66.0727 66.0727 Special assessments against railroad for street improvement.

66.0727(1) (1) 

66.0727(1)(a) (a) If a city, village or town improves a street, alley or public highway within its corporate limits, including by grading, curbing or paving, if the entire or partial cost of the improvement is assessed against abutting property, and if the street, alley or public highway is crossed by the track of a railroad engaged as a common carrier, the common council or board of public works of the city, or the village or town board, shall, at any time after the completion and acceptance of the improvement by the municipality, file with the local agent of the railroad corporation operating the railroad a statement showing the amount chargeable to the railroad corporation for the improvement.

66.0727(1)(b) (b) The amount chargeable to the railroad corporation is the amount equal to the cost of constructing the improvement along the street, alley or public highway immediately in front of and abutting its right-of-way on each side of the street, alley or public highway at the point where the track crosses the street, alley or public highway, based upon the price per square yard, lineal foot or other unit of value used in determining the total cost of the improvement.

66.0727(2) (2) The amount charged against a railroad corporation for improving the street, alley or public highway, fronting or abutting its right-of-way, may not exceed the average amount per front foot assessed against the remainder of the property fronting or abutting on the improved street, alley or public highway. The amount calculated under sub. (1) and contained in the statement is due and payable by the railroad corporation to the municipality filing the statement within 30 days of the date when the statement is presented to the local representative of the railroad corporation.

66.0727(3) (3) If a railroad corporation fails or refuses to pay a city, village or town the amount set forth in any statement or claim for street, alley or public highway improvements under this section within the time specified in the statement, the city, village or town has a claim for that amount against the railroad corporation and may maintain an action in any circuit court within this state to recover the amount in the statement.

66.0727(4) (4) This section does not preclude a city, village or town from using any other lawful method to compel a railroad corporation to pay its proportionate share of a street, alley or public highway improvement.

66.0727 History History: 1977 c. 72; 1993 a. 246, 490; 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 ss. 209, 552, 554; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0727.

66.0729 66.0729 Improvement of streets by abutting railroad company.

66.0729(1) (1) If the track of a railroad is laid upon or along a street, alley or public highway within any city, village or town, the corporation operating the railroad shall maintain and improve the portion of the street, alley or public highway that is occupied by its tracks. The railroad corporation shall grade, pave or otherwise improve the portion of the street, alley or public highway in the manner and with the materials that the common council of the city or the village or town board determines. The railroad corporation is not required to pave or improve that portion of the street, alley or public highway occupied by it with different material or in a different manner from that in which the remainder of the street is paved or improved. The railroad corporation is liable to pay for paving, grading or otherwise improving a street, alley or public highway only to the extent that the actual cost of the improvement exceeds the estimated cost of the improvement were the street, alley or public highway not occupied by the tracks of the railroad.

66.0729(2) (2) If a city, village or town orders a street, alley or public highway to be paved, graded, curbed or improved, as provided in sub. (1), the clerk of the city, village or town shall serve the local agent of the railroad corporation a notice setting forth the action taken by the city, village or town relative to the improvement of the street, alley or public highway.

66.0729(3) (3) If the railroad corporation elects to construct the street, alley or public highway improvement, it shall within 10 days of the receipt of the notice from the clerk of the city, village or town, file with the clerk a notice of its intention to construct the street, alley or public highway improvement, and it shall be allowed until the following June 30 to complete the work, unless the work is ordered after May 20 of any year, and in that case the railroad corporation shall be allowed 40 days from the time the clerk of the municipality presents the notice to the railroad agent in which to complete the work.

66.0729(4) (4) If a city, village or town orders a street, alley or public highway improved under sub. (1) and serves notice on the railroad corporation under sub. (2) and the railroad corporation elects not to construct the improvement or elects to construct the improvement but fails to construct the improvement within the time under sub. (3), the city, village or town shall let a contract for the construction of the improvement and improve the street, alley or public highway as determined under sub. (1). When the improvement is completed and accepted by the city, village or town, the clerk of the city, village or town shall present to the local agent of the railroad corporation a statement of the actual cost of the improvement and the railroad corporation shall, within 20 days of receipt of the statement, pay the treasurer of the city, village or town the amount shown by the statement.

66.0729(5) (5) If a railroad corporation fails to pay the cost of constructing any pavement or other street improvement under sub. (1), the city, village or town responsible for the improvement may enforce collection of the amount by an action against the railroad corporation as provided in s. 66.0727 (3).

66.0729(6) (6) This section does not preclude a city, village or town from using any other lawful method to compel a railroad corporation to pay its proportionate share of a street, alley or public highway improvement.

66.0729 History History: 1977 c. 72; 1993 a. 246; 1999 a. 150 ss. 210, 555, 556, 558, 560; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0729.

66.0731 66.0731 Reassessment of invalid condemnation and public improvement assessments.

66.0731(1) (1) If in an action, other than an action under s. 66.0703 (12), involving a special assessment, special assessment certificate, bond or note or tax certificate based on the special assessment, the court determines that the assessment is invalid for any cause, it shall stay all proceedings, frame an issue and summarily try the issue and determine the amount that the plaintiff justly ought to pay or which should be justly assessed against the property in question. That amount shall be ordered to be paid into court for the benefit of the parties entitled to the amount within a fixed time. Upon compliance with the order judgment shall be entered for the plaintiff with costs. If the plaintiff fails to comply with the order the action shall be dismissed with costs.

66.0731(2) (2) If the common council, village board or town board determines that any special assessment is invalid for any reason, it may reopen and reconsider the assessment as provided in s. 66.0703 (10).

66.0731 History History: 1983 a. 532; 1987 a. 378; 1999 a. 150 s. 547; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0731.

66.0733 66.0733 Repayment of assessments in certain cases. If a contract for improvements entered into by a governmental unit authorized to levy special assessments is declared void by a court of last resort, the governing body may provide that all persons who have paid all or any part of any assessment levied against the abutting property owners because of the improvement may be reimbursed the amount of the assessment, paid from the fund, that the governing body determines. This section applies to contracts for improvements that are void for any of the following reasons:

66.0733(1) (1) There was insufficient authority to make the contract.

66.0733(2) (2) The contract was made contrary to a prohibition against contracting in other than a specified way.

66.0733(3) (3) The contract was prohibited by statute.

66.0733 History History: 1993 a. 246; 1999 a. 150 s. 501; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0733.

subch. VIII of ch. 66 SUBCHAPTER VIII

PUBLIC UTILITIES

66.0801 66.0801 Definitions; effect on other authority.

66.0801(1) (1) In this subchapter:

66.0801(1)(a) (a) “Municipal public utility” means a public utility owned or operated by a city, village or town.

66.0801(1)(b) (b) “Public utility” has the meaning given in s. 196.01 (5).

66.0801(2) (2) Sections 66.0803 to 66.0825 do not deprive the office of the commissioner of railroads, department of transportation or public service commission of any power under ss. 195.05 and 197.01 to 197.10 and ch. 196.

66.0801 History History: 1999 a. 150.

66.0803 66.0803 Acquisition of public utility or bus transportation system.

66.0803(1) (1) 

66.0803(1)(a) (a) A town, village or city may construct, acquire or lease any plant and equipment located in or outside the municipality, including interest in or lease of land, for furnishing water, light, heat or power, to the municipality or its inhabitants; may acquire a controlling portion of the stock of any corporation owning private waterworks or lighting plant and equipment; and may purchase the equity of redemption in a mortgaged or bonded waterworks or lighting system, including cases where the municipality in the franchise has reserved right to purchase. The character or duration of the franchise, permit or grant under which any public utility is operated does not affect the power to acquire the public utility under this subsection. Two or more public utilities owned by the same person or corporation, or 2 or more public utilities subject to the same lien or charge, may be acquired as a single enterprise. The board or council may agree with the owner or owners of any public utility or utilities on the value of the utility or utilities and may contract to purchase or acquire at that value, upon those terms and conditions mutually agreed upon between the board or council and the owner or owners.

66.0803(1)(b) (b) A resolution, specifying the method of payment and submitting the question to a referendum, shall be adopted by a majority of all the members of the board or council at a regular meeting, after publication at least one week previous in the official paper.

66.0803(1)(c) (c) The notice of the referendum shall include a general statement of the plant and equipment proposed to be constructed, acquired or leased and of the manner of payment.

66.0803(1)(d) (d) Referenda under this section may not be held oftener than once a year, except that a referendum held for the acquisition, lease or construction of any of the types of property enumerated in par. (a) does not bar the holding of one referendum in the same year for the acquisition and operation of a bus transportation system by the municipality.

66.0803(1)(e) (e) The provisions of pars. (b) to (d) do not apply to the acquisition of any plant, equipment or public utility for furnishing water service when the plant, equipment or utility is acquired by the municipality by dedication or without monetary or financial consideration. After a public utility is constructed, acquired or leased under this subsection, pars. (b) to (d) do not apply to any subsequent construction, acquisition or lease in connection with that public utility.

66.0803(2) (2) 

66.0803(2)(a) (a) A city, village or town may by action of its governing body and with a referendum vote provide, acquire, own, operate or engage in a municipal bus transportation system where no existing bus, rail or other local transportation system exists in the municipality. A city, village or town in which there exists any local transportation system by similar action and referendum vote may acquire, own, operate or engage in the operation of a municipal bus transportation system upon acquiring the local transportation system by voluntary agreement with the owners of the system, or pursuant to law, or upon securing a certificate from the department of transportation under s. 194.23.

66.0803(2)(b) (b) A street motor bus transportation company operating pursuant to ch. 194 shall, by acceptance of authority under that chapter, be deemed to have consented to a purchase of its property actually used and useful for the convenience of the public by the municipality in which the major part of the property is situated or operated.

66.0803(2)(c) (c) A city, village or town providing or acquiring a motor bus transportation system under this section may finance the construction or purchase in any manner authorized for the construction or purchase of a public utility.

66.0803 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (9) (f); 1981 c. 347 ss. 13, 80 (2); 1985 a. 187; 1993 a. 16, 246; 1999 a. 150 ss. 172 to 174; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0803.

66.0803 Annotation This section is not a restriction upon the authority granted to the Department of Natural Resources by s. 144.025 (2) (r) [now s. 281.19 (5)] to order the construction of a municipal water system, but constitutes merely an alternative by which a municipality may voluntarily construct or purchase a water utility. Village of Sussex v. DNR, 68 Wis. 2d 187, 228 N.W.2d 173 (1975).

66.0803 Annotation Section 66.065 [now this section], which requires a municipality to obtain voter approval through a referendum prior to the construction or acquisition of a waterworks, does not apply when a municipality is ordered to construct a public water supply system pursuant to s. 144.025 (2) (r) [now s. 281.19 (5)]. 60 Atty. Gen. 523.

66.0805 66.0805 Management of municipal public utility by commission.

66.0805(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (6), the governing body of a city shall, and the governing body of a village or town may, provide for the nonpartisan management of a municipal public utility by creating a commission under this section. The board of commissioners, under the general control and supervision of the governing body, shall be responsible for the entire management of and shall supervise the operation of the utility. The governing body shall exercise general control and supervision of the commission by enacting ordinances governing the commission’s operation. The board shall consist of 3, 5 or 7 commissioners.

66.0805(2) (2) The commissioners shall be elected by the governing body for a term, beginning on the first day of October, of as many years as there are commissioners, except that the terms of the commissioners first elected shall expire successively one each year on each succeeding first day of October.

66.0805(3) (3) The commission shall choose a president and a secretary from its membership. The commission may appoint and establish the compensation of a manager. The commission may command the services of the city, village or town engineer and may employ and fix the compensation of subordinates as necessary. The commission may make rules for its proceedings and for the government of the department. The commission shall keep books of account, in the manner and form prescribed by the department of transportation or public service commission, which shall be open to the public.

66.0805(4) (4) 

66.0805(4)(a) (a) The governing body of the city, village or town may provide that departmental expenditures be audited by the commission, and if approved by the president and secretary of the commission, be paid by the city, village or town clerk and treasurer as provided by s. 66.0607; that the utility receipts be paid to a bonded cashier appointed by the commission, to be turned over to the city, village or town treasurer at least once a month; and that the commission have designated general powers in the construction, extension, improvement and operation of the utility. Actual construction work shall be under the immediate supervision of the board of public works or corresponding authority.

66.0805(4)(b) (b) If water mains have been installed or extended in a municipality and the cost of installation or extension has been in some instances assessed against the abutting owners and in other instances paid by the municipality or a utility, the governing body of the municipality may provide that all persons who paid the assessment against any lot or parcel of land may be reimbursed the amount of the assessment regardless of when such assessment was made or paid. Reimbursement may be made from such funds or earnings of the municipal utility or from such funds of the municipality as the governing body determines.

66.0805(5) (5) Two or more public utilities acquired as a single enterprise may be operated under this section as a single enterprise.

66.0805(6) (6) In a 2nd, 3rd or 4th class city, a village or a town, the council or board may provide for the operation of a public utility or utilities by the board of public works or by another officer or officers, in lieu of the commission provided for in this section.

66.0805 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (9) (g); 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (2); 1983 a. 207 ss. 23, 93 (1); 1983 a. 538; 1993 a. 16, 246; 1999 a. 150 ss. 179, 181, 183, 236; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0805.

66.0805 Annotation When a city council creates a board under sub. (1), the council is prohibited by sub. (3) from fixing the wages of the utility’s employees. Schroeder v. City of Clintonville, 90 Wis. 2d 457, 280 N.W.2d 166 (1979).

66.0805 Annotation Although the statutes relating to public utilities and transit commissions describe certain attributes the governing commissions must have, these statutes do not call the commission into existence or endow it with authority independent of what the statutes confer on the municipality. A commission has no authority but for what it receives from the municipality, and the municipality has no authority to legislate contrary to the boundaries established by the statutes. Wisconsin Carry, Inc. v. City of Madison, 2017 WI 19, 373 Wis. 2d 543, 892 N.W.2d 233, 15-0146.

66.0805 Annotation This section grants municipalities the authority to create commissions to govern public utilities, but it contains no independent grant of authority to such commissions. As a public utility, a commission exercises its authority under the supervision of the city. The city exercises its supervisory authority via ordinance. Wisconsin Carry, Inc. v. City of Madison, 2017 WI 19, 373 Wis. 2d 543, 892 N.W.2d 233, 15-0146.

66.0807 66.0807 Joint operation of public utility or public transportation system.

66.0807(1) (1) In this section, “privately owned public utility” includes a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 or 193 for the purpose of producing or furnishing utility service to its members only.