281.43 Joint sewerage systems.

(1) The department of natural resources may require the sewerage system, or sewage or refuse disposal plant of any governmental unit including any town, village or city, to be so planned and constructed that it may be connected with that of any other town, village or city, and may, after hearing, upon due notice to the governmental units order the proper connections to be made or a group of governmental units including cities, villages, town sanitary districts or town utility districts may construct and operate a joint sewerage system under this statute without being so required by order of the department of natural resources but following hearing and approval of the department.

(1m) An order by the department for the connection of unincorporated territory to a city or village system or plant under this section shall not become effective for 30 days following issuance. Within 30 days following issuance of the order, the governing body of a city or village subject to an order under this section may commence an annexation proceeding under s. 66.0219 to annex the unincorporated territory subject to the order. If the result of the referendum under s. 66.0219 (4) is in favor of annexation, the territory shall be annexed to the city or village for all purposes, and sewerage service shall be extended to the territory subject to the order. If an application for an annexation referendum is denied under s. 66.0219 (2) or the referendum under s. 66.0219 (4) is against the annexation, the order shall be void. If an annexation proceeding is not commenced within the 30-day period, the order shall become effective.

(2)

(a) When one governmental unit renders service to another under this section, reasonable compensation shall be paid. The officials in charge of the system, of the governmental unit furnishing the service shall determine the reasonable compensation and report to its clerk who shall, on or before August 1 of each year, certify a statement thereof to the clerk of the governmental unit receiving the service. The clerk of the governmental unit receiving the service shall extend the amount shown in the statement as a charge on the tax roll, in the following manner:

1. If the service rendered is available to substantially all improved real estate in the member governmental unit receiving the service, the charges shall be placed upon the tax roll of the member governmental unit as a general tax.

2. If the service rendered is for the benefit of public highways in, or real estate owned or operated by, the member governmental unit receiving the service, the charges for the service shall be placed upon the tax roll of the member governmental unit as a general tax.

3. If the service rendered does not come under the provisions of subd. 1. or 2., the charges for the service shall be placed upon the tax roll of the member governmental unit as a special tax upon each parcel of real estate benefited; and when collected it shall be paid to the treasurer of the member governmental unit rendering the service. Where the charges are to be extended on the tax roll under the provisions of this subdivision, the clerk of the member governmental unit furnishing the service shall itemize the statement showing separately the amount charged to each parcel of real estate benefited.

(b) If, due to delay in determination, a charge described in par. (a) cannot be extended on the tax roll of any particular year, it shall be extended as soon as possible.

(3) If the governing body of any governmental unit deems the charge unreasonable, it may by resolution within 20 days after the filing of the report with its clerk:

(a) Submit to arbitration by 3 reputable and experienced engineers, one chosen by each governmental unit, and the 3rd by the other 2. If the engineers are unable to agree, the vote of 2 shall be the decision. They may affirm or modify the report, and shall submit their decision in writing to each governmental unit within 30 days of their appointment unless the time be extended by agreement of the governmental units. The decision shall be binding. Election to so arbitrate shall be a waiver of right to proceed by action. Two-thirds of the expense of arbitration shall be paid by the governmental unit requesting it, and the balance by the other.

(b) Institute a proceeding for judicial review under ch. 227.

(4)

(a) Any 2 or more governmental units, including cities, villages, town sanitary districts or town utility districts not wishing to proceed under sub. (2) may jointly construct, operate and maintain a joint sewerage system, inclusive of the necessary intercepting sewers and sewerage treatment works. Such joint action by 2 governmental units shall be carried out by a sewerage commission consisting of one member appointed by each of the governing bodies of such governmental units and a 3rd member to be selected by the 2 members so appointed, or in lieu thereof said sewerage commission may consist of 2 members appointed by the governing body of each governmental unit and a 5th member to be selected by the 4 members so appointed or where more than 2 governmental units act to form the commission, the representation on the commission shall be in accordance with a resolution approved by the member governmental units.

(b)

1. Where such sewerage commission shall consist of 3 members, the members chosen by the 2 members first appointed shall serve for 2 years, while the members appointed by the governing bodies of the 2 governmental units shall serve for terms of 4 and 6 years, respectively, the length of term of each to be determined by lot. All subsequent appointments, except for unexpired terms, shall be for 6 years. All such members shall serve until their successors shall have been appointed and shall have qualified.

2. Where such sewerage commission shall consist of 5 members, the member chosen by the 4 members first appointed shall serve for one year, while the members appointed by the governing bodies of the 2 governmental units shall serve for terms of 2, 3, 4 and 5 years respectively, the length of terms of each to be determined by lot. All subsequent appointments, except for unexpired terms, shall be for 6 years. All such members shall serve until their successors shall have been appointed and shall have qualified.

3. Where such sewerage commission representation shall be formed by approval of a resolution, the resolution shall state the method of appointing commissioners and the term of office of each commissioner.

(c) The sewerage commissioners shall project, plan, construct and maintain in the district comprising the member governmental units intercepting and other main sewers for the collection and transmission of house, industrial and other sewage to a site or sites for disposal selected by them, such sewers to be sufficient, in the judgment of the sewerage commissioners, to care for such sewage of the territory included in such district. The sewerage commissioners shall project, plan, construct and operate sewage disposal works at a site or sites selected by them which may be located within or outside of the territory included in the district. The sewerage commissioners may also project, plan, construct and maintain intercepting and other main sewers for the collection and disposal of storm water which shall be separate from the sanitary sewerage system. The sewerage commissioners may also project, plan, construct and operate solid waste disposal works at a site or sites selected by them which may be located within or outside of the territory included in the district or by contract with counties or municipalities which have solid waste disposal facilities. The sewerage commissioners may employ and fix compensation for engineers, assistants, clerks, employees and laborers, or do such other things as may be necessary for the due and proper execution of their duties. Such sewage disposal works may be used by the sewerage commissioners and by such governmental units for the disposal of garbage, refuse and rubbish.

(d) Such sewerage commission shall constitute a body corporate by the name of “(Insert name of governmental units or area) Sewerage Commission," by which in all proceedings it shall thereafter be known. It may purchase, take and hold real and personal property for its use and convey and dispose of the same. This grant of power shall be retroactive to September 13, 1935 for commissions formed prior to January 1, 1972. Except as provided in this subsection the sewerage commissioners shall have the power and proceed as a common council and board of public works in cities in carrying out the provisions of par. (c). All borrowing under s. 24.61 (3) (a) 5. and all bond issues and appropriations made by said sewerage commission shall be subject to the approval of the governing bodies of the respective governmental units.

(e) Each such governmental unit shall pay for its proportionate share of such sewerage system, including additions thereto, and also its proportionate share of all operation and maintenance costs as may be determined by the sewerage commission. Each governmental unit may borrow money and issue revenue or general obligation bonds therefor, for the acquisition, construction, erection, enlargement and extension of a joint sewage disposal plant or refuse or rubbish or solid waste disposal plant or system or any combination of plants provided under this section, and to purchase a site or sites for the same. Each governmental unit may, if it so desires, proceed under s. 66.0821 in financing its portion of the cost of the construction, operation and maintenance of the joint sewage disposal plant or plants provided for in this section, or system.

(f) Any such governmental unit being aggrieved by the determination of the sewerage commission on matters within its jurisdiction may appeal to the circuit court as provided in sub. (3) (b).

History: 1971 c. 89, 276; 1977 c. 187; 1979 c. 176; 1985 a. 49; 1995 a. 225; 1995 a. 227 s. 408; Stats. 1995 s. 281.43; 1997 a. 35; 1999 a. 150 s. 672.

Sub. (1m), which voids a DNR sewerage connection order if the electors in the affected town area reject annexation to the city ordered to extend sewerage service, represents a valid legislative balancing and accommodation of 2 statewide concerns: urban development and pollution control. City of Beloit v. Kallas, 76 Wis. 2d 61, 250 N.W.2d 342.

A joint sewerage commission may enact and enforce regulations required of it under Clean Water Act of 1977, but it cannot make appropriations or issue bonds without approval of the governing bodies that established it. 68 Atty. Gen. 83.