Village of Lake Hallie Public Works
Overview
The Village of Lake Hallie Utility operates under the direction of the Public Works Foreman, with oversight from the Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer and the Village Board of Trustees. The Utility is responsible for operating and maintaining all facilities and infrastructure, including:
5 wells ( Well #6 is in planning stages)
2 reservoirs
All related buildings, grounds, and equipment
Funding & Financial Structure
The Water Utility operates as a public enterprise and does not receive tax funding. Instead, it is funded through:
Water sales (primary source of revenue).
Private and public fire protection fees.
For large system improvements, the Utility may issue bonds when sufficient funds are not available. These bonds are repaid annually using water revenue.
Water rates are set by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to ensure an adequate rate of return.
What’s Added to the Water?
Chlorination for disinfection
Caustic soda for pH regulation
Service Area
Village of Lake Hallie
Rules and Regulations are Established Under the Authority Granted By:
Wisconsin Statutes and Enactments:
Wis. Stats. §66.0801-66.0831 Municipalities; Public Utilities
Wis. Stats. §196 Regulations of Public Utilities
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin:
PSC Chapter 184 Construction of Water Public Utilities
PSC Chapter 185 Standards for Water Public Utility Service
The Wisconsin Administrative Code Sections:
Department of Natural Resources (Water Division)
Department of Safety and Professional Services
Landlord FAQs
Even if your tenant is supposed to pay the utility bill, you are still responsible for it as the property owner.
A lease is an agreement between you and your tenant. It does not determine who the utility considers its customer. That is governor by the Public Service Commission (PSC) rules. These are two separate matters.
Your lease can state that the tenant must pay the utility services however, the service is this sense is being provided by the landlord not the utility. To help the utility may also put the bill in the tenant’s name, so they receive it. However, this does not remove your responsibility.
In the Village of Lake Hallie:
The tenant is considered the "resident" and may be responsible for paying the bill while living there.
The landlord/property owner is considered the "responsible party"
This means the property owner is always ultimately responsible for paying the bill if it is not paid.
How can I protect myself?
Require the tenant to pay the utility bill in your lease
Make paying the bill a condition of staying in the rental
Take action (like eviction) if the tenant does not pay
No, State rules do not allow this.
Wisconsin Administrative Code PSC chapter 185.37, subsection 8, paragraph g, says a utility cannot shut off water service for intentional removal or eviction of a tenant. If the utility knows this is the reason, it will not disconnect service.
However, this does not mean the utility has no way to collect unpaid bills.
What happens if the bill is not paid?
Under PSC chapter 185.37, subsection 1m:
The utility will try to transfer the unpaid balance to the landlord’s home or business account (if it is served by the same utility)
Before the transfer is made the landlord or property manager must first receive written notice from the utilities.
If the bill is still not paid, the utility may shut off service at the landlord’s home or business after a 10-day notice
How does Lake Hallie handle unpaid bills?
The Village of Lake Hallie Water Utility does not typically shut off water service for this situation (except in specific cases outlined elsewhere).
Instead, unpaid balances are:
Added to the property taxes
Charged to the property owner (Responsible Party)
No, State rules do not allow utilities to have shut-off policies that apply only to rental properties. That would be considered discriminatory.
If a utility creates a disconnects policy, it must apply equally to all customers, not just rentals.
How can landlords stay informed?
If you are concerned about a tenant not paying the bill, you can:
Request duplicate bills and shut-off notices
Contact the utility office at 715-726-2660 for any questions or fill out the Water Service Transfer & Account Change Form.
How can landlords protect themselves?
Landlords can take steps to reduce the risk of unpaid utility bills:
Run a credit check on potential tenants
Require a co-signer on the lease
Keep the utility in the landlord’s name and include the cost in rent
Add lease language that makes tenancy dependent on paying utility bills
Deduct unpaid bills from the security deposit
Important to know:
If the utility service is in the landlord’s name, it cannot be shut off if the reason is to remove or evict a tenant.
What happens when a tenant moves out?
A tenant is not responsible for utility charges after they:
Move out, and
Notify the utility that they have left.
Once the tenant reports they no longer live at the property, the utility cannot continue billing them for service they are not using.
At that point, the account is placed back into the landlord’s name.
What can the landlord do?
If there is an unpaid balance, the landlord can:
Deduct the amount from the tenant’s security deposit, or
Take legal action for breaking the rental agreement
However, the utility cannot bill the former tenant once they no longer live at the property and have notified the utility.
How are unpaid utility bills collected?
Wisconsin law requires municipalities to add unpaid utility bills to the property tax roll for the property that received the service.
This process:
Helps ensure unpaid bills are collected
Reduces financial losses for the utility
And protects other customers from higher rates
How are landlords notified?
If a landlord requests it in writing, the utility will:
Send notice when a tenant falls behind on payments
To set this up, contact the utility office at 715-726-2660 and request a Water Service Transfer & Account Change Form.
This notice gives landlords a chance to:
Pay the bill, or
Collect payment from the tenant
before the unpaid amount is added to property taxes.
How landlords can help collections?
Landlords can assist by:
Providing a forwarding address for the tenant within 21 days after they move out
This allows the utility to continue billing the tenant, which may encourage payment before the balance is transferred to taxes.
Important things to know:
A 10% penalty is added on November 1 (this is required)
No additional late fees can be added after that
The 10% penalty is the only penalty applied
For more information on Tax Transfer Process please visit Tax Roll Process.
When can water service be shut off?
The Public Service Commission allows a utility to shut off or refuse water service for the following reasons:
Tampering with the meter (for example, bypassing or diverting water around the meter)
No access to the meter: if the customer does not allow utility staff to access or replace the meter after being contacted
Misuse of service: if water is used in a way that affects others or involves unsafe equipment, and the issue is not fixed after notice
Not following rules or laws. This includes violations of Wisconsin statutes, PSC rules, or utility regulations
Interfering with meter reading equipment: using devices that disrupt communication or meter readings
Special Situations
Immediate shut-off (no notice)
If there is a dangerous condition
24-hour notice shut-off
If there is water theft or unauthorized use
Tax Roll Process
Wisconsin State Statute § 66.0809 requires municipalities to place delinquent water bills on the property tax roll as a special charge for the property that received the utility service.
Collecting unpaid utility bills through the property tax roll has helped keep municipal debt low. This process helps reduce financial losses from unpaid bills and protects other utility customers from potential rate increases.
The law requires utilities to inform landlords about tenant delinquencies. This only happens if the landlord has submitted a written request for notification.
Notification Timeline
The Utility identifies all accounts with outstanding balances as of this date.
The Utility sends written notice of all past-due amounts (as of October 1) to property owners and tenants.
The Utility also notifies any tenant for whom the municipality has a statutory lien.
A 10% penalty is applied to all unpaid balances. This penalty is required and cannot be waived.
All unpaid balances, including the penalty, are transferred to the property tax roll.
The Utility files a list with the Clerk of Courts identifying tenants with a municipal lien.
Billing Payment Options – Direct Debit
This form is used to sign up for direct payment for your water bills. The funds will automatically be drawn out of your account to pay for your quarterly water bill. Complete the form and return it to the Water Billing Office.
Title Company Request Form – Title Company
This form is used by the Title Company to request information regarding special assessments, outstanding water bills, invoices, or personal property taxes and any other special assessments against a property in the Village of Lake Hallie. It may be used for either a sale of a property or a refinance of a property.
Water Customer Agreement Form – Landlord / Management Company / Water Customer
This form is to be filled out by the Landlord/Management Company (“Landlord”) and the Water Customer when a new tenant moves into a property. This agreement puts in writing the new tenant information and creates an agreement between the Water Customer and the Village of Lake Hallie for water service. The Landlord agrees to accept full responsibility for payment of all water bills during the time of vacancy and accepts responsibility for notification to the Village of Lake Hallie for any tenant changes.
Irrigation Well Permit Application – Village of Lake Hallie Resident
This form is used to apply for a well permit with the Village of Lake Hallie. Failure to renew a well permit will be a violation of the Code of Ordinance Section 4.3.02(8)(b). The completed application is brought to the Village of Lake Hallie office where you will be given a water sample kit. A bacteria and nitrate test will need to be completed to receive a permit.
Effective January 4, 2011
All title requests needed within 24 hours will be charged $50.00
All requests needed anytime after 24 hours will be charged $25.00
Please complete the appropriate form and email to [email protected]