LRB-3474/4
MES:jld&kjf:jf
2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE
February 25, 2008 - Introduced by Senators Lassa, Schultz and Vinehout,
cosponsored by Representatives
Lothian, Gronemus, Nygren, Seidel, Bies,
Albers, Ballweg, Kreuser, Sheridan, Steinbrink and Vruwink. Referred to
Committee on Ethics Reform and Government Operations.
SB533,1,2
1An Act to amend 59.22 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes;
relating to: adjusting the
2method used to set compensation levels of certain county constitutional officers.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Generally under current law a county board is required to establish the total
annual compensation level for services to be paid to elective county officials, other
than supervisors and circuit judges. The compensation level must be set before the
earliest filing deadline for nomination papers for any elective county office.
This compensation level may not be increased or decreased during the officer's
term and remains constant unless changed by the county board. With regard to
certain county constitutional officers (the sheriff, coroner, register of deeds, clerk,
clerk of court, treasurer, and surveyor), who are elected to four-year terms, current
law allows their compensation to be adjusted every four years.
Under this bill, for county constitutional officers, the county board must adjust
the compensation level annually based on the average adjustment in the
compensation given to all county department heads in the year immediately
preceding the current year.
For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB533, s. 1
1Section
1. 59.22 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB533,2,212
59.22
(1) (a) 1.
The Except for a sheriff, coroner, register of deeds, clerk, clerk
3of court, treasurer, and surveyor, the board shall, before the earliest time for filing
4nomination papers for any elective office to be voted on in the county, other than
5supervisors and circuit judges, which officer is paid in whole or part from the county
6treasury, establish the total annual compensation for services to be paid to the officer
7exclusive of reimbursements for expenses out-of-pocket provided for in sub. (3).
8With regard to a sheriff, coroner, register of deeds, clerk, clerk of court, treasurer, and
9surveyor, the total annual compensation for each such officer shall be adjusted
10annually by taking the compensation of the person currently holding the office and
11adjusting it by a percentage equal to the average adjustment in compensation given
12by the board to all department heads in the year immediately preceding the current
13year. Except as provided in subd. 2., the annual compensation may be established
14by resolution or ordinance, on a basis of straight salary, fees, or part salary and part
15fees, and if the compensation established is a salary, or part salary and part fees, it
16shall be in lieu of all fees, including per diem and other forms of compensation for
17services rendered, except those specifically reserved to the officer in the resolution
18or ordinance.
The Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the 19compensation established shall not be increased nor diminished during the officer's
20term and shall remain for ensuing terms unless changed by the board. Court fees
21shall not be used for compensation for county officers.
