66.0609 Financial procedure; alternative system of approving claims.

(1) The governing body of a village or of a city of the 2nd, 3rd or 4th class may by ordinance enact an alternative system of approving financial claims against the municipal treasury other than claims subject to s. 893.80. The ordinance shall provide that payments may be made from the city or village treasury after the comptroller or clerk of the city or village audits and approves each claim as a proper charge against the treasury, and endorses his or her approval on the claim after having determined that all of the following conditions have been complied with:

(a) That funds are available for the claim pursuant to the budget approved by the governing body.

(b) That the item or service covered by the claim has been duly authorized by the proper official, department head or board or commission.

(c) That the item or service has been actually supplied or rendered in conformity with the authorization described in par. (b).

(d) That the claim is just and valid pursuant to law. The comptroller or clerk may require the submission of proof to support the claim as the officer considers necessary.

(2) The ordinance under sub. (1) shall require that the clerk or comptroller file with the governing body not less than monthly a list of the claims approved, showing the date paid, name of claimant, purpose and amount.

(3) The ordinance under sub. (1) shall require that the governing body of the city or village obtain an annual detailed audit of its financial transactions and accounts by a certified public accountant licensed or certified under ch. 442 and designated by the governing body.

(4) The system under sub. (1) is operative only if the comptroller or clerk is covered by a fidelity bond or insurance policy of not less than $5,000 in villages and 4th class cities, of not less than $10,000 in 3rd class cities, and of not less than $20,000 in 2nd class cities, as described in s. 61.25 (intro.) or 62.09 (4) (b).

(5) If an alternative procedure is adopted by ordinance in conformity with this section, the claim procedure required by ss. 61.25 (6), 61.51, 62.09 (10), 62.11 and 62.12 and other relevant provisions, except s. 893.80, is not applicable in the city or village.

History: 1971 c. 108 ss. 5, 6; 1971 c. 125 s. 523; 1977 c. 285 s. 12; 1979 c. 323; 1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 316; 1999 a. 150 s. 113; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0609; 2001 a. 16; 2017 a. 51.