An Overview of Wisconsin County Committee Structure and a Snapshot of County Committee Structures Original Source: Wisconsin Counties Association & originally updated by Dan Hill, 2006 Updated April 2021, By Seynabou Youm, Daniel Foth, and Philip Freeburg Committee information for Wisconsin counties is contained in this single fact sheet. Noted immediately below is the list of Mandated Committees, Mandated Committees Following County Board Action, Optional, Administrative Home Rule and Ad-Hoc Committees. For those interested in additional information on each county’s committee structure, the “Snapshot of Committee Structures Wisconsin Counties’ - November 2019” follows the Overview. An Overview of Wisconsin County Committee Structure Mandated Committees State statutes require several standing committees at the county level to aid in the management and resolution of various local issues. Whether this municipal body is called a committee, a commission, or a board, derives from the language used in the state statute. Sometimes the words “committee,” and “commission” are used interchangeably. For example, in Wis. Stat. § 59.69, a planning and zoning committee, is also referred as a planning and zoning commission. In addition, there are several committees appearing as “mandatory” that may be combined with other committees or outright eliminated depending upon the nature of the county’s programs. For this reason, it is important county officials consult with corporation counsel before implementing a different committee structure so as to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Examples of the mandatory committees identified in statute include:    Board of Health Wis. Stat. §§ 251.03, 251.04 Commission on Aging Wis. Stat. § 46.82(4) - if a county aging program is established under Chapter 46. Chapters 46 & 51 o Community Programs Board Wis. Stat. § 51.42(4) o Developmental Disabilities Services Board Wis. Stat. § 51.437(7) o Social Services Board Wis. Stat. § 46.22(1m) o Human Services Board Wis. Stat. § 46.23(4) – may be combined with Board of Health under Wis. Stat. § 251.03 and may replace other boards, see statutes for          qualification requirements Page 1 of 28 Emergency Management Committee Wis. Stat. § 323.14(1)(a) Highway Committee Wis. Stat. § 83.015 Land Conservation Committee Wis. Stat. § 59.70(19) Local Emergency Planning Committee Wis. Stat. § 59.54(8) Rural Planning Committee Wis. Stat. § 27.019(4) County Park Commission Wis. Stat. § 27.02 Sheriff’s Grievance Committee Wis. Stat. § 59.26(8)(b)1 Traffic Safety Commission Wis. Stat. § 83.013(1) Veterans Service Commission Wis. Stat. § 45.81(1) Individual County Committee Lists – taken from the County’s Website November 2019 Mandated Committees Following County Board Action Other county board committees are mandatory under Wisconsin Statutes when the county board of supervisors undertakes specific actions. Examples include:  Committee on Agriculture and Extension Education. If a board chooses to establish a university extension progam in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin, the board is required to create a committee on agriculture and extension education. Wis. Stat. §§ 59.56(3)(a)-(b). The committee oversees the university extension program. Wis. Stat. § 59.56(3)(f)-(g).  Board of Review. A board of review is required under a county assessor system. A county board of supervisors may adopt a county assessor system by passing a resolution or ordinance. Wis. Stat. § 70.99(1). The county board may also end the county assessor system through a resolution or ordinance. Wis. Stat. § 70.99(14). Optional Committees In addition, Wisconsin statutes provide specifically for the establishment of additional optional committees. Examples include:            Airport Commission Wis. Stat. § 114.14(2) Children with Disabilities Education Board Wis. Stat. § 115.817(3)(a) Civil Service Commission. A civil service commission is mandatory in counties with a population of more than 750,000 people. This would only apply to Milwaukee county. For all other counties, it is optional to establish a civil service commission. Wis. Stat. § 63.01(1) Community Relations/Social Development Commission Wis. Stat. § 66.0125(2) County Board of Adjustment Wis. Stat. § 59.694(1) Immigration Board Wis. Stat. § 59.53(18)(a) Mosquito Control Commission Wis. Stat. § 59.70(12)(b) Planning and Zoning Committee or Commission Wis. Stat. § 59.69(2) C