Senate Bill 215 proposes several changes to the procedures governing town clerks and treasurers, as well as budget publication requirements and highway discontinuance. The bill allows towns of any population size to transition from elected to appointed clerks and treasurers through a vote at a town meeting, rather than requiring a referendum for smaller towns. It also permits the combination of the clerk and treasurer positions to take effect immediately upon vacancy, rather than waiting for the end of the current term. Additionally, the bill expands the authority of town treasurers to appoint multiple deputies and clarifies that deputy clerks and treasurers do not need to be residents of the town.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the publication requirements for proposed budget summaries and notices of public hearings, aligning them with the more flexible options available to cities and villages. It eliminates the travel exception that previously allowed certain highways to remain public beyond the four-year limit, thereby simplifying the criteria for determining when a highway ceases to be a public highway. Key legal language changes include the repeal of a specific statute and the renumbering and amendment of others to reflect these updates.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 60.10(1)(b)2m, 60.10, 60.30(1e)(f), 60.30, 60.331, 60.341, 65.90(3)(a)1, 65.90, 82.19(2)(a), 82.19