Power of council to levy taxes
Wis. Stat. § 65.07
in effect(1) The common council shall have power to levy annually a tax upon all the taxable property in the city for the following purposes:
(a) A sufficient general city fund to pay the expenses of city departments, boards and commissions which are subject to the control of the common council. The rate of taxation for the purposes enumerated in this paragraph shall be established only by affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all members elected to the common council.
(b) A fund to pay the city’s contribution to the fire fighters’ and police officers’ pension fund and for any similar fund which may be created by law.
(c) A sufficient permanent improvement fund for any purpose authorized by s. 66.0913 (1), 67.04 or 67.12 for which money may be borrowed or bonds issued, and for the initial furniture, fixtures, machinery and equipment required in such new facilities permitted thereunder.
(d) A sufficient sewerage fund to maintain and operate any sewerage disposal plant.
(e) A school operations fund, as constituted and for the purposes specified in s. 119.46 (1).
(f) A school construction fund, as constituted and for the purposes specified in s. 119.48, not exceeding 0.6 mills on each dollar of the assessed valuation of all taxable property in the city.
(g) A school extension fund, as constituted and for the purposes specified in s. 119.47.
(i) A delinquent tax fund.
(j) A sufficient fund to pay the interest and principal on the funded debt falling due within the year.
(k) A public improvement reserve fund.
(L) A sufficient common council contingent fund.
(m) A debt service fund for school building purposes as provided in s. 120.10 (10).
(o) A tax stabilization fund.
(p) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 65.06 (14) and (15), the common council may by resolution authorize the carrying over of unexpended funds which have been appropriated to a department for additional periods not to exceed 3 years from the year in which they were appropriated.
(q) An operating fund which may be carried over by the common council from year to year for the purpose of accumulating sums necessary to purchase buildings, machinery, equipment, and appurtenances thereto required for municipal purposes.
(r)
1. A tax equalization fund under the control of the common council. A levy for the purposes of this fund may be made against all taxable property in the city whenever as the result of any consolidation of a municipality, as defined in s. 345.05, with the city there is included within the city any area subject to taxes levied by any municipality except a county or metropolitan sewerage district at a rate different than that which is applicable for the same purposes in the city other than the consolidated portion thereof. To create such fund the common council may levy a tax in the consolidated area equivalent to the proceeds of a city tax for the same purpose if levied in such area and in addition may levy in such city, including the consolidated area, a tax calculated to produce a sum sufficient to meet the requirements of such other municipality properly certified to such city so as to result in taxation at a uniform rate for such purposes in the city including the consolidated area. Appropriations may be made from such fund to pay certifications of school districts lying wholly or partially in the area consolidated.
2. This paragraph shall apply to any tax levy in a consolidated area on January 1, 1958, and thereafter.
(s) A liability reserve fund for the purpose of paying liability claims against the city or premiums on insurance to pay such claims. The governing body may allow amounts appropriated to the fund to accumulate from year to year. The annual taxes levied for this purpose may not exceed the level necessary to collect the amount recommended by an actuary, in accordance with generally accepted actuarial principles, that will be sufficient to pay any insurance premiums and the uninsured portion of claims that are anticipated to be made based on occurrences during the year in which the tax is collected. Payment of claims and premiums may either be made directly from the reserve account or appropriations may be made from the reserve account to an operating account for such payments. No other transfers may be made from the fund except in accordance with the procedure specified in s. 65.06 (6) (a) and unless:
1. If the fund is to be dissolved, an actuary has determined that all claims that are to be paid from the fund have been paid or a sufficient reserve has been created from the fund to pay such claims; or
2. If the fund is to be continued and the types of claims or the amount of coverage of claims by the fund is to be reduced, an actuary has determined, under generally accepted actuarial principles, that the balance in the fund exceeds the amount necessary to pay claims and premiums and the amount transferred is not more than the excess amount.
(2) The common council may allow funds established under sub. (1) (c), (i), (k), (o), (r) and (s) to accumulate from year to year.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/65.07Fetched: 10/7/2026