Chapter 66

66.1110(6)(b)2. 2. On and after the date on which a petition is filed under par. (a) 1. or 2., or on and after the date on which a petition must be filed under par. (a) 3., neither the board nor the municipality may enter into any new obligations by contract or otherwise to implement the operating plan until the expiration of 30 days after the date of the hearing under subd. 3. and unless the neighborhood improvement district is not terminated under par. (c).

66.1110(6)(b)3. 3. Within 30 days after the filing of a petition under par. (a) 1. or 2., the planning commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposed termination. Within 30 days after the deadline for filing a petition under par. (a) 3. passes, the planning commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposed termination. Notice of the hearing shall be published as a class 2 notice under ch. 985. Before publication, a copy of the notice, together with a copy of a detail map showing the boundaries of the neighborhood improvement district, shall be sent by certified mail to all owners of real property within the neighborhood improvement district. The notice shall state the boundaries of the neighborhood improvement district and shall indicate that copies of the operating plan are available from the planning commission on request and are posted in the building in which the municipality’s governing body regularly holds its meetings.

66.1110(6)(b)4. 4. Within 30 days after the date of the hearing under subd. 3., every owner of property assessed under the operating plan may send written notice to the planning commission indicating, if the owner signed a petition under par. (a) 1. or 2., that the owner retracts the owner’s request to terminate the neighborhood improvement district, or, if the owner did not file or sign a petition under par. (a) 1. or 2., that the owner requests termination of the neighborhood improvement district under par. (a) 1. or 2.

66.1110(6)(b)5. 5. Within 30 days after the date of the hearing under subd. 3., every owner of property assessed under the operating plan may send written notice to the planning commission indicating, if the owner signed a petition under par. (a) 3., that the owner retracts the owner’s request to continue the neighborhood improvement district, or, if the owner did not file or sign a petition under par. (a) 3., that the owner requests continuation of the neighborhood improvement district under subd. 3.

66.1110(6)(c) (c) After the expiration of 30 days after the date of the hearing under par. (b) 3., and after adding any additions and subtracting any retractions under par. (b) 4. and 5., the municipality shall terminate the neighborhood improvement district on the date on which the obligation with the latest completion date entered into to implement the operating plan expires if the owners who have signed the petition requesting the termination of the neighborhood improvement district under par. (a) 1. or 2. constitute the required groups specified in par. (a) 1. or 2., or if an insufficient representation of owners, as described under par. (a) 3., petition to continue the neighborhood improvement district under par. (a) 3.

66.1110(7) (7) 

66.1110(7)(a) (a)

66.1110(7)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., any parcel of real property used exclusively for less than 8 residential dwelling units and real property that is exempted from general property taxes under s. 70.11 may not be specially assessed for purposes of this section.

66.1110(7)(a)2. 2. In a 1st class city, real property that is exempted from general property taxes under s. 70.11 may not be specially assessed for purposes of this section.

66.1110(7)(b) (b) A municipality may terminate a neighborhood improvement district at any time.

66.1110(7)(c) (c) This section does not limit the power of a municipality under other law to regulate the use of or specially assess real property.

66.1110 History History: 2005 a. 186; 2009 a. 147; 2017 a. 70.

66.1111 66.1111 Historic properties.

66.1111(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

66.1111(1)(a) (a) “Historic property” has the meaning given under s. 44.31 (3).

66.1111(1)(b) (b) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town or county.

66.1111(2) (2) Acquisition of property. A political subdivision may acquire by gift, purchase or condemnation any property right in historic property, whether the property is real or personal.

66.1111(3) (3) Ownership, use and disposition of property.

66.1111(3)(a) (a) A political subdivision may preserve or rehabilitate any historic property which it owns, construct buildings on that property, own and maintain that property for public purposes or lease or convey that property.

66.1111(3)(b) (b) If a political subdivision leases to another person historic property, the political subdivision shall include provisions in the lease which protect the historic character and qualities of that property. If the political subdivision conveys historic property, the political subdivision shall obtain a conservation easement under s. 700.40 to protect the historic character and qualities of the property.

66.1111(4) (4) Consideration of effects on historic properties.

66.1111(4)(a) (a) In the earliest stage of planning any action related to the following, a political subdivision shall determine if its proposed action will affect any historic property which is a listed property, as defined under s. 44.31 (4), or which is on the list of locally designated historic places under s. 44.45:

66.1111(4)(a)1. 1. Long-range planning for facilities development.

66.1111(4)(a)2. 2. Any action under sub. (3).

66.1111(4)(a)3. 3. Razing any historic property which it owns.

66.1111(4)(b) (b) A political subdivision shall notify the state historic preservation officer of any proposed action which it determines under par. (a) would affect any historic property.

66.1111(5) (5) Grants. A political subdivision may make grants of funds to any public or private entity for the purpose of preserving or rehabilitating historic property.

66.1111 History History: 1987 a. 395; 1989 a. 31; 1999 a. 150 s. 88; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1111.

66.1113 66.1113 Premier resort areas.

66.1113(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

66.1113(1)(a) (a) “Infrastructure expenses” means the costs of purchasing, constructing, or improving parking lots; access ways; transportation facilities, including roads and bridges; sewer and water facilities; exposition center facilities used primarily for conventions, expositions, trade shows, musical or dramatic events, or other events involving educational, cultural, recreational, sporting, or commercial activities; parks, boat ramps, beaches, and other recreational facilities; fire fighting equipment; police vehicles; ambulances; and other equipment or materials dedicated to public safety or public works.

66.1113(1)(b) (b) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town or county.

66.1113(1)(c) (c) “Premier resort area” means a political subdivision whose governing body enacts an ordinance or adopts a resolution under sub. (2) (a).

66.1113(1)(d) (d) “Tourism-related retailers” means retailers classified in the standard industrial classification manual, 1987 edition, published by the U.S. office of management and budget under the following industry numbers:

66.1113(1)(d)1. 1. 5331 — Variety stores.

66.1113(1)(d)2. 2. 5399 — Miscellaneous general merchandise stores.

66.1113(1)(d)3. 3. 5441 — Candy, nut and confectionary stores.

66.1113(1)(d)4. 4. 5451 — Dairy product stores.

66.1113(1)(d)5. 5. 5461 — Retail bakeries.

66.1113(1)(d)6. 6. 5541 — Gasoline service stations.

66.1113(1)(d)7. 7. 5812 — Eating places.

66.1113(1)(d)8. 8. 5813 — Drinking places.

66.1113(1)(d)9. 9. 5912 — Drug stores and proprietary stores.

66.1113(1)(d)10. 10. 5921 — Liquor stores.

66.1113(1)(d)11. 11. 5941 — Sporting goods stores and bicycle shops.

66.1113(1)(d)12. 12. 5946 — Camera and photographic supply stores.

66.1113(1)(d)13. 13. 5947 — Gift, novelty and souvenir shops.

66.1113(1)(d)14. 14. 7011 — Hotels and motels.

66.1113(1)(d)15. 15. 7032 — Sporting and recreational camps.

66.1113(1)(d)16. 16. 7033 — Recreational vehicle parks and campsites.

66.1113(1)(d)17. 17. 7948 — Racing, including track operation.

66.1113(1)(d)18. 18. 7992 — Public golf courses.

66.1113(1)(d)19. 19. 7993 — Coin-operated amusement devices.

66.1113(1)(d)20. 20. 7996 — Amusement parks.

66.1113(1)(d)21. 21. 7999 — Amusement and recreational services, not elsewhere classified.

66.1113(2) (2) Premier resort area creation.

66.1113(2)(a) (a) The governing body of a political subdivision, by a two-thirds vote of the members of the governing body who are present when the vote is taken, may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution declaring itself to be a premier resort area if, except as provided in pars. (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j), at least 40 percent of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property within such political subdivision is used by tourism-related retailers.

66.1113(2)(b) (b) Subject to pars. (g), (h), (i), and (j), a political subdivision that is a premier resort area may impose the tax under s. 77.994.

66.1113(2)(c) (c) If 2 or more contiguous political subdivisions that are premier resort areas each impose the tax under s. 77.994, they may enter into a contract under s. 66.0301 to cooperate in paying for infrastructure expenses, in addition to any other authority they have to act under s. 66.0301.

66.1113(2)(d) (d)

66.1113(2)(d)1. 1. Except as provided under subd. 2., the proceeds from a tax that is imposed under s. 77.994 and this subsection may be used only to pay for infrastructure expenses within the jurisdiction of a premier resort area.

66.1113(2)(d)2. 2. A municipality that enacted an ordinance imposing the tax under s. 77.994 (1) that became effective before January 1, 2000, may use the proceeds from the tax that is imposed under s. 77.994 and this subsection only to pay for infrastructure expenses and public safety expenses within the jurisdiction of a premier resort area.

66.1113(2)(e) (e)

66.1113(2)(e)1. 1. The legislature finds the following with respect to the city of Eagle River:

66.1113(2)(e)1.a. a. That it has an atypical percentage of tax-exempt land within its boundaries that is used for tourism-related purposes.

66.1113(2)(e)1.b. b. That it is the site of national recreational competitions that draw tourism business to the entire northern region of this state.

66.1113(2)(e)2. 2. The city of Eagle River may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution declaring itself to be a premier resort area under par. (a) even if less than 40 percent of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property within Eagle River is used by tourism-related retailers.

66.1113(2)(f) (f) The city of Bayfield may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution declaring itself to be a premier resort area under par. (a) even if less than 40 percent of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property within Bayfield is used by tourism-related retailers.

66.1113(2)(g) (g) The village of Sister Bay may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution declaring itself to be a premier resort area under par. (a) even if less than 40 percent of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property within Sister Bay is used by tourism-related retailers. The village may not impose the tax authorized under par. (b) unless the village board adopts a resolution proclaiming its intent to impose the tax and the resolution is approved by a majority of the electors in the village voting on the resolution at a referendum, to be held at the first spring primary or election or partisan primary or general election following by at least 70 days the date of adoption of the resolution.

66.1113(2)(h) (h) The village of Ephraim may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution declaring itself to be a premier resort area under par. (a) even if less than 40 percent of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property within Ephraim is used by tourism-related retailers. The village may not impose the tax authorized under par. (b) unless the village board adopts a resolution proclaiming its intent to impose the tax and the resolution is approved by a majority of the electors in the village voting on the resolution at a referendum, to be held at the first spring primary or election or partisan primary or general election following by at least 70 days the date of adoption of the resolution.

66.1113(2)(i) (i) The village of Stockholm may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution declaring itself to be a premier resort area under par. (a) even if less than 40 percent of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property within Stockholm is used by tourism-related retailers. The village may not impose the tax authorized under par. (b) unless the village board adopts a resolution proclaiming its intent to impose the tax and the resolution is approved by a majority of the electors in the village voting on the resolution at a referendum, to be held at the first spring primary or election or partisan primary or general election following by at least 70 days the date of adoption of the resolution.

66.1113(2)(j) (j) The city of Rhinelander may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution declaring itself to be a premier resort area under par. (a) even if less than 40 percent of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property within Rhinelander is used by tourism-related retailers. The city may not impose the tax authorized under par. (b) unless the common council adopts a resolution proclaiming its intent to impose the tax and the resolution is approved by a majority of the electors in the city voting on the resolution at a referendum, to be held at the first spring primary or election or partisan primary or general election following by at least 70 days the date of adoption of the resolution. Notwithstanding par. (d), the city may use the proceeds from a tax that is imposed under s. 77.994 and this subsection only to pay for transportation-related infrastructure expenses within the jurisdiction, and the city must expend at least the same amount of other funds on transportation-related infrastructure each year that it spent during the calendar year prior to the year in which the premier resort area tax is first imposed.

66.1113(3) (3) Jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of a premier resort area is coterminous with the boundaries of a political subdivision whose governing body enacts an ordinance or adopts a resolution under sub. (2) (a) or with the boundaries of 2 or more political subdivisions that enter into a contract under sub. (2) (c).

66.1113 History History: 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 150 s. 364; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1113; 2001 a. 16, 109; 2005 a. 440; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 75, 115; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 365 s. 111; 2023 a. 134.

subch. XII of ch. 66 SUBCHAPTER XII

HOUSING AUTHORITIES

66.1201 66.1201 Housing authorities.

66.1201(1) (1) Short title. Sections 66.1201 to 66.1211 may be referred to as the “Housing Authorities Law”.

66.1201(2) (2) Finding and declaration of necessity. It is declared that there exist in the state insanitary or unsafe dwelling accommodations and that persons of low income are forced to reside in insanitary or unsafe accommodations; that within the state there is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwelling accommodations available at rents which persons of low income can afford and that these persons are forced to occupy overcrowded and congested dwelling accommodations; that the conditions described in this subsection cause an increase in and spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the state and impair economic values; that these conditions necessitate excessive and disproportionate expenditures of public funds for crime prevention and punishment, public health and safety, fire and accident protection, and other public services and facilities; that these slum areas cannot be cleared, nor can the shortage of safe and sanitary dwellings for persons of low income be relieved, through the operation of private enterprise, and that the construction of housing projects for persons of low income would, therefore, not be competitive with private enterprise; that the clearance, replanning and reconstruction of the areas in which insanitary or unsafe housing conditions exist and the providing of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons of low income are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent and private property acquired and are governmental functions of state concern; that it is in the public interest that work on these projects be commenced as soon as possible in order to relieve unemployment which now constitutes an emergency; and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions of this section, is declared as a matter of legislative determination.

66.1201(2m) (2m) Discrimination. Persons otherwise entitled to any right, benefit, facility, or privilege under ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211 may not be denied the right, benefit, facility, or privilege in any manner for any purpose nor be discriminated against because of sex, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (u), or national origin.

66.1201(3) (3) Definitions. In ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

66.1201(3)(a) (a) “Area of operation” includes the city for which a housing authority is created, the area within 5 miles of the territorial boundaries of the city but not beyond the county limits of the county in which the city is located and the area within the limits of the city unless the city annexes the area of operation. “Area of operation” does not include any area which lies within the territorial boundaries of any city for which another housing authority is created by this section.

66.1201(3)(b) (b) “Authority” or “housing authority” means any of the public corporations established pursuant to sub. (4).

66.1201(3)(c) (c) “Bonds” means any bonds, interim certificates, notes, debentures or other obligations of the authority issued pursuant to ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211.

66.1201(3)(cm) (cm) “City clerk” and “mayor” mean the clerk and mayor, respectively, of the city or the officers of the city charged with the duties customarily imposed on the clerk and mayor, respectively.

66.1201(3)(d) (d) “Commissioner” means one of the members of an authority appointed in accordance with ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211.

66.1201(3)(e) (e) “Community facilities” includes real and personal property, and buildings and equipment for recreational or social assemblies, for educational, health or welfare purposes and necessary utilities, when designed primarily for the benefit and use of the housing authority or the occupants of the dwelling accommodations, or for both.

66.1201(3)(f) (f) “Contract” means any agreement of an authority with or for the benefit of an obligee whether contained in a resolution, trust indenture, mortgage, lease, bond or other instrument.

66.1201(3)(g) (g) “Council” means the common council or other body charged with governing a city.