200.27 Commission; organization.

(1) Quorum. Six commissioners constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If after reapportionment under s. 200.25 (7) the number of commissioners is increased to 12 or 13, 7 commissioners constitute a quorum. If after reapportionment under s. 200.25 (7) the number of commissioners is reduced to 9 or 10, 5 commissioners constitute a quorum.

(2) Action concerning financing for the district.

(a) Except as provided in par. (b):

1. No resolution adopted by the commission under s. 200.55 (1), (3) (c) or (6), 67.05 (1) or 67.12 (12), no schedule of charges under s. 66.0821, 200.39 (4), 200.41 or 200.55 (5) (b) 3., no decision to borrow against taxes under s. 67.12 (1) and no decision to borrow under s. 24.61 (3) (a) 7. is valid unless adopted by an affirmative vote of at least a two-thirds majority of all commissioners.

2. No resolution adopted by the commission under s. 67.12 (1) (b) is valid unless adopted by an affirmative vote of at least a three-fourths majority of all commissioners.

(b) If one or more resolutions authorizing full financing of the capital budget adopted under s. 200.53 are not adopted on or before October 15 succeeding the annual adoption of the budget, the commission may by a vote of a simple majority of all commissioners annually levy taxes under s. 200.55 (6) (a) 4. or otherwise appropriate a sum from any source for the purpose of financing the capital budget. The total levy and appropriation may not exceed $40,000,000.

(3) Chairperson. The commission shall elect one commissioner as chairperson of the commission, for a term specified by rule by the commission. The chairperson is removable at pleasure by the commission. The chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the commission and shall perform other duties imposed upon the chairperson by this subchapter or assigned by the commission. The commission may also appoint a vice chairperson who may exercise the powers and shall perform the duties of the chairperson in the absence or disability of the chairperson.

(4) Secretary. The commission shall appoint a secretary who is not a member of the commission. The secretary is removable at pleasure by the commission and shall receive the compensation the commission determines. The compensation shall be paid at the time and in the same manner that the salaries of other employees of the district are paid. The secretary shall maintain all records concerning the district and shall perform the other duties that are imposed upon the secretary by this subchapter or that are assigned by the commission.

(5) Treasurer. The commission shall appoint a treasurer who shall oversee and be responsible for the receipt and disbursement of all money received by the district and for the investment of money received by the district.

(6) Records; meetings. All records of the commission are subject to subch. II of ch. 19. Subchapter V of ch. 19 governs all meetings of the commission.

(7) Annual audit. The commission shall annually audit the financial transactions of the district and shall include a summary of the audit in its annual report under sub. (9).

(8) Demand audit.

(a) On the demand of any municipality or county located wholly or partly within the boundaries of the district, the district shall request an audit by the public service commission of its books, records and practices. The district shall pay the costs of the audit. The audit shall determine the district's compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. The public service commission may contract with an auditing firm to perform the audit if the public service commission cannot complete a requested audit in a timely manner. Under no circumstances is the district subject to a further demand audit under this subsection until at least one year elapses from the date the report of the previous demand audit under this subsection is filed.

(b) Upon completion of the demand audit and receipt of the audit report, the district shall hold a public hearing within 45 days in the municipality or county that demanded the audit. The district shall arrange for summaries of the report to be made available for the hearing.

(9) Annual report. The commission shall prepare annually a full report of its official transactions and expenditures and shall mail the report to the governor, to the secretary of natural resources and to the governing body of each municipality.

History: 1981 c. 282, 391; 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 207 s. 95; 1985 a. 29, 49; 1991 a. 39; 1999 a. 150 s. 579; Stats. 1999 s. 200.27.