Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 59.12 (2026)
Chairperson; vice chairperson; powers and duties
✓ current as of July 2026
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59.12(1)(1) The board, at the first meeting after each regular election at which members are elected for full terms, shall elect a member chairperson. The chairperson shall perform all duties required of the chairperson until the board elects a successor. The chairperson may administer oaths to persons required to be sworn concerning any matter submitted to the board or a committee of the board or connected with their powers or duties. The chairperson shall countersign all ordinances of the board, and shall preside at meetings when present. When directed by ordinance the chairperson shall countersign all county orders, transact all necessary board business with local and county officers, expedite all measures resolved upon by the board and take care that all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to county government are enforced.
59.12(2)(2) The board at the time of the election of the chairperson shall also elect a member vice chairperson, for the same term, who in case of the absence or disability of the chairperson shall perform the chairperson’s duties. The board at the time of the election of the chairperson may also elect a member 2nd vice chairperson, for the same term, who in case of the absence or disability of the chairperson and vice chairperson shall perform the duties of the chairperson. Except for the board of a county with a population of 750,000 or more, the board may provide for the payment of additional compensation to the vice chairpersons.
59.12(3)(3) In case of the absence of a chairperson for any meeting the members present shall choose another member to be temporary chairperson.
59.12 HistoryHistory: 1977 c. 259; 1983 a. 192 ss. 120, 303 (1); 1985 a. 29; 1995 a. 201 s. 106; Stats. 1995 s. 59.12; 2013 a. 14.
59.12 AnnotationA county board cannot adopt a resolution that infringes on the power of a succeeding board to elect its chairperson and vice chairperson. 61 Atty. Gen. 108.
59.12 AnnotationRemoval of the chairperson of a county board may be at the will of a simple majority of the board under this section. Section 17.10 is inapplicable. Nothing in this section requires the county board to have any particular reason for removing its chairperson. An incumbent chairperson may be removed at will by the county board simply by voting to elect someone else to that position. OAG 1-07.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6
cases, 1922–1995 · leading case: Ripley v. Brown, 422 N.W.2d 608 (Wis. 1988).
Ripley v. Brown, 422 N.W.2d 608 (Wis. 1988). “1 In that decision, the court of appeals reversed a summary judgment dismissing an action which sought to have a portion of sec. 59.12, Stats., declared unconstitutional.”
Bablitch & Bablitch v. Lincoln Cnty., 263 N.W.2d 218 (Wis. 1978). “See: sec. 59.12, Stats. However, the broad scope of sec.”
Ripley v. Brown, 415 N.W.2d 550 (Wis. Ct. App. 1987). “Ripley contends that the statute pursuant to which the county decided to appoint a county surveyor, sec. 59.12, Stats., is unconstitutional because a county surveyor is an "elected county officer[]” under the Wisconsin Constitution.”
Brown Cty. Sheriff's Dept. v. Employees Ass'n, 533 N.W.2d 766 (Wis. 1995). “[2] Section 59.12(1), Stats., provides in pertinent part: 59.”
State ex rel. Pluntz v. Johnson, 184 N.W. 683 (Wis. 1922). “effect ascribed by appellant's counsel to sec. 59.12, Stats. So we come to the conclusion that if the defendant had originally come into the office by an election, his office would have terminated on the first Monday in January, 1919.”
Wegwart v. Eagle Movers, Inc., 441 F. Supp. 872 (E.D. Wis. 1977). “The defendant sheriffs are officers of their respective counties, § 59.12, Wis.Stats., and act as instrumentalities of the state in enforcing writs of restitution.”
— Wis. Stat. § 59.12(1) — 1 case
Brown Cty. Sheriff's Dept. v. Employees Ass'n, 533 N.W.2d 766 (Wis. 1995). “[2] Section 59.12(1), Stats., provides in pertinent part: 59.”
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