[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Wrightstown 8-18-1998 by Ord. No. 081898A. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Public records and property — See Ch. 151.
A. 
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a village records retention schedule and authorize destruction of village records under the schedule on an annual basis. Records custodians may destroy a record prior to the time set forth in the schedule only if such a record has been photographically reproduced as an original record under W.S.A. s. 16.61(7).
B. 
Any record not covered by this chapter or any regulation or law shall be retained seven years unless the record is added by amendment into the ordinance and the shorter time period approved by the State Public Records and Forms Board.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AUTHORITY
Refers to any specific statutory, administrative rule or specific regulation that determines retention of the record. In most cases this will be blank because units of government have discretion to establish a time period.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Provide a brief description of the records. Group specific items such as forms into logical groups that have the same function or purpose.
CR
Stands for creation, which usually refers to receipt or creation of the record.
EVT
Stands for event and refers to an occurrence that starts the retention clock ticking. Close of contract, termination of employee and disposition of a case are common events.
FIS
Stands for current fiscal year and the additional amount of time as indicated.
LEGAL CUSTODIAN
The individual responsible for maintaining records under W.S.A. s. 19.33.
N
The records may have secondary historical value and therefore State Historical Society of Wisconsin notification is required on a case-by-case basis prior to destruction.
N/A
Not applicable and refers to those circumstances where a local unit of government is retaining a record permanently.
P
Stands for permanent retention.
PERIOD OF TIME
Expressed in years unless specifically identified as month or day.
RECORD
As defined in W.S.A. s. 19.32(2).
RETENTION PERIOD
Refers to the time that the identified records must be kept until destruction.
SHSW NOTICE
Refers to whether or not the State Historical Society of Wisconsin has waived the required statutory notification prior to destruction of records.
W
Records are not historical and the required notification is waived.
A. 
Historical records. Under W.S.A. s. 19.21(4)(a), municipalities shall notify the State Historical Society of Wisconsin (SHSW) prior to destroying records, as follows:
(1) 
For any record marked "W" (waived notice), the SHSW has waived the required sixty-day notice.
(2) 
For any record marked "N" (nonwaived), the SHSW shall be notified prior to destruction.
(3) 
"N/A" indicates not applicable and applies to any record designated for permanent retention.
(4) 
Notice is also required for any record not listed in this chapter.
B. 
Microfilming of records. Local units of government may keep and preserve public records through the use of microfilm, if the microfilm meets the applicable standards in W.S.A. s. 16.61(7). Retention periods and estimated costs and benefits of converting records between different media should be considered in deciding which records to microfilm. After verification, paper records converted to microfilm should be destroyed. Retention periods identified in this chapter apply to records in any media. NOTE: When optical disk is expressly authorized in the statutes for local government use, this section should be revised to include its use.
C. 
Destruction after request for inspection. No requested records may be destroyed until after the request is granted or 60 days after the request is denied. If such an action is commenced under W.S.A. s. 19.37, the requested record may not be destroyed until after a court order is issued and all appeals have been completed. See W.S.A. s. 19.35(5).
D. 
Destruction pending litigation. No record subject to pending litigation shall be destroyed until the litigation is resolved.
E. 
Review and approval by Public Records and Forms Board. This chapter and the retention periods of less than seven years have been reviewed and approved by the Public Records and Forms Board.
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Accident reports
EVT + 4 years
W
All accounting records
CR + 7 years
W
Audio and video tape recordings:
Police dispatch audio tapes
CR + 120 days
W
Police video tapes
CR + 120 days
W
Citizen complaints against police officers
EVT + 8 years
W
Informational teletype messages
CR + 30 days
W
Investigation and citation records:
Arrest records
EVT + 8 years
W
Incident records
EVT + 10 years
W
Fingerprint cards
EVT + 8 years
W
Evidence cards
EVT + 10 years
W
Investigation records
EVT + 10 years from date of closing of investigation
W
Medical records, re: occupational exposure
EVT + 30 years
W
Ordinance citations
EVT + 8 years(after closed)
W
Personnel records
EVT + 8 years
Property inventory records
EVT + 8 years
Traffic citations (and accompanying documentation) sent through Wrightstown Municipal Court
EVT + 8 years (after closed)
W
Training records for exposure control
CR + 3 years
W
Work schedules
CR + 7 years
W
A. 
The legal custodian, as defined in W.S.A. s. 19.33, of the following records concerning the Village Municipal Court, or his or her designee, may destroy the following public records after the expiration of the designated retention period.
B. 
Municipal Court case records and files, including but not limited to traffic forfeiture, conservation forfeiture and ordinance violation cases:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Arraignment calendars
CR + 7 years
W
Audio tape recordings of trials or juvenile matters
EVT (Until expiration of statute of limitations to appeal tocircuit court)
W
Court statistical reports
CR + 7 years
W
Electronic recordings of court proceedings which were appealed
EVT + 7 years
W
Electronic recordings of court proceedings which were not appealed
EVT + 6 months
W
Municipal Court case files
EVT + 6 years (after entry of final judgment)
W
Municipal Court case files, Village Attorney's copies
EVT + 6 months (after entry of final judgment)
W
Municipal Court correspondence
CR + 7 years
W
Municipal Court judgment docket (a record of al lmoney judgments)
EVT + 20 years (after final docket entry)
W
Municipal Court minute records
EVT + 5 years (after entry of final judgment)
W
Municipal Court record
EVT + 5 years (after entry of final judgment)
W
Warrant and commitment listings
CR + 7 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Affidavits of publication
CR + 3 years
W
Audio tapes
CR + 1 year; CR + 90 days if made solely for the purpose of drafting the minutes
W
Minute books
Permanent
N/A
Ordinance book
Permanent
N/A
Ordinances
Permanent
N/A
Resolutions
Permanent
N/A
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Abstracts and certificates of title
Permanent
N/A
Deeds
Permanent
N/A
Easements
Permanent
N/A
Leases
EVT + 7 years after termination of lease
W
Opinions of title
Permanent
N/A
Plats
Permanent
N/A
Title insurance policies
Permanent
N/A
Vacation or alteration of plat
Permanent
N/A
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Dog licenses, monthly report to County Clerk by Clerk-Treasurer
CR + 3 years
W
License stubs:
All liquor and beer related
CR + 4 years
W
Other
CR + 3 years
W
Liquor and beer related license
EVT + 4 years
W
Other license applications
EVT + 3 years
W
Receipts
CR + 4 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Bond payment register
EVT + 7 years (after bond issue expires or following payment of all outstanding matured bonds/notes/coupons, whichever is later)
W
Bond procedure record
EVT + 7 years (after bond issue expires)
W
Bond register
EVT + 7 years (after bond issue expires)
W
Canceled bonds, coupons and promissory notes
EVT (until audited)
W
Certificates of destruction
EVT + 7 years (after bond issue expires or following payment of all outstanding matured bonds/notes/coupons, whichever is later)
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Fidelity bond
EVT + 5 years (after bond expires)
W
Fidelity bond book
EVT + 5 years (after last bond expires)
W
Oath of office
EVT + 5 years (after term of service covered by oath ends)
Legal opinions rendered shall not be destroyed and shall be retained permanently.
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Accounts Payable:
Purchase invoices
FIS + 7 years
W
Vouchers
FIS + 7 years
W
Accounts Receivable:
Accounts receivable invoices
FIS + 7 years
W
Receipts
FIS + 7 years
W
Collection blotters
EVT + 1 year (after audit)
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Appropriation journal
FIS + 15 years
W
Appropriation journal voucher
FIS + 15 years
W
General journal
FIS + 15 years
W
General ledger
FIS + 15 years
N
Journal voucher
FIS + 15 years
W
Receipts journal
FIS + 15 years
W
Trial balance
EVT (until audited)
Voucher/order register
FIS + 15 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
All receipts
FIS + 7 years
W
Bank credit/debit notices
EVT + 1 year (after audit)
W
Bank reconciliations
FIS + 7 years
W
Bank statements
FIS + 7 years
W
Canceled order checks
FIS + 7 years
W
Cashbook
FIS + 15 years
W
Check register
FIS + 7 years
W
Daily cash drawer reconciliations
EVT + 1 year (after audit)
W
Duplicate deposit tickets
EVT + 1 year (after audit)
W
Investment records
FIS + 7 years
W
Lists of outstanding checks
FIS + 7 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Annual report of federal income tax withheld
FIS + 5 years
W
Canceled payroll checks
FIS + 5 years
W
Employee earning records
FIS + 5 years
W
Employee enrollment and waiver cards
EVT + 2 years (after being superseded or terminated)
W
Employee's Wisconsin withholding exemption certificate
EVT + 5 years (after being superseded)
W
Employee's withholding allowance certificate
EVT + 5 years (after being superseded)
W
Employer's annual reconciliation of Wisconsin income
Federal deposit tax stubs
FIS + 5 years
W
Monthly memorandum report
FIS + 5 years
W
Payroll check register
FIS + 5 years
W
Payroll distribution record
FIS + 5 years
W
Payroll support records
FIS + 2 years
W
Payroll voucher
FIS + 5 years
W
Premium due notices
FIS + 5 years
W
Quarterly report of federal income tax withheld
FIS + 5 years
W
Quarterly report, payroll summary
FIS + 5 years
W
Report of Wisconsin income tax
FIS + 5 years
W
State's quarterly report of wages paid
FIS + 5 years
W
Tax withheld from wages
FIS + 5 years
W
Wage and tax statement
FIS + 5 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Bids, successful
EVT + 7 years (after contract has expired)
W
Bids, unsuccessful
EVT + 1 year (after PO issued)
W
Inventory of property
EVT (retain until superseded)
W
Purchase orders
FIS + 7 years
W
Purchase requisitions
EVT + 1 year (after PO issued)
W
Receiving report
FIS + 7 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Audit reports
Permanent
N/A
Budget worksheets
FIS + 3 years
N/A
Final budget
Permanent
N/A
Minutes of the board of estimates
Permanent
N/A
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Certified special assessment roll
EVT (retain until all assessments are collected)
W
Final resolution
Permanent
N/A
Preliminary resolution
CR + 2 years
W
Report on special assessment project
CR + 2 years
W
Special assessment payment register
EVT (retain until all assessments are collected)
W
Statement of new special assessments
CR + 5 years
W
Waiver of special assessment notice and hearing
EVT + 1 year (after the final resolution is approved)
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Form of objection to property assessment: and supporting documentation
EVT + 7 years (after final action by Board of Review or completion of appeal)
W
Minute book of Board of Review
CR + 7 years
W
Notice of determinations of the Board of Review
EVT + 7 years (after final action by Board of Review or completion of appeal)
W
Proceedings of Board of Review on audio tapes or as stenographic notes, including transcriptions
EVT + 7 years (after final action by Board of Review or completion of appeal)
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Certificates of apportionment
FIS + 3 years
W
Explanation of property tax credit certification
FIS + 5 years
W
Final worksheet for determining allowable levy
FIS + 5 years
W
General property tax credit certification
FIS + 5 years
W
Personal property tax roll
FIS + 15 years
N
Real property tax roll
EVT (record is transferred to the County Treasurer)
N/A
Statement of new sewer service charges
FIS + 5 years
W
Statement of new special assessments
FIS + 5 years
W
Statement of taxes
Permanently
N/A
State shared aid payment notices
FIS + 6 years (provided that the record has been audited)
W
Tax levy certification of the School District Clerk
FIS + 3 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Escrow account list
EVT (retain until superseded)
W
Municipal Clerk-Treasurer's settlement
FIS + 5 years
W
Personal property tax roll
FIS + 15 years
N
Receipts
FIS + 7 years
W
Receipt stub book
FIS + 7 years
W
Statement of taxes remaining unpaid
EVT (retain with tax roll)
N/A
Tax collection blotters
EVT (until audited)
W
Tax settlement receipt
FIS + 5 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Aerial photographs
EVT (until superseded)
W
Annexation plats
Permanent
N/A
Annual reports
Permanent
N/A
Assessor's plats
Permanent
N/A
Benchmark books
Permanent
N/A
City maps
Permanent
N/A
Excavation plans of private utilities
Permanent
N/A
Field notes
Permanent
N/A
Final subdivision plats
Permanent
N/A
House number and address change file
Permanent
N/A
Index to maps
Permanent
N/A
Permits (includes permits for excavation of streets by private utilities)
EVT + 3 years
W
Petitions for street and sewer systems
EVT + 2 years
W
Preliminary subdivision plats
EVT (until superseded by final plat)
W
Profile and grade books
Permanent
N/A
Records of the Board of Public Works (includes minutes of the meetings of the Board and supporting documents submitted to the Board)
Permanent
N/A
Records of the Plan Commission (includes minutes of the meetings of the Commission and supporting documents submitted to the Commission)
Permanent
N/A
Records of Zoning Board of Appeals (includes minutes of meetings of the Board and supporting documents submitted to the Board)
Permanent
N/A
Section corner monument logs
Permanent
N/A
Special assessment calculations
EVT + 2 years
W
State highway aids program records
FIS + 7 years
W
Street vacations and dedications, copies
EVT (retain for active reference life)
W
Structure plans for municipal buildings and bridges
EVT (life of the structure)
N
TV sewer inspection records
EVT (until superseded)
W
Water, storm, and sanitary sewer main maps
Permanent
N/A
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Affidavit of organization authority
EVT + 7 years (after completion of project)
EVT + 2 years (unsuccessful bidders)
W
As-built tracings
EVT (life of the project)
N
Bid bond
EVT + 7 years (after completion of project)
EVT + 2 years (unsuccessful bidders)
W
Bidders proof of responsibility
EVT + 7 years (after completion of project)
EVT + 2 years (unsuccessful bidders)
W
Bids
EVT + 7 years (after completion of project)
EVT + 2 years (unsuccessful bidders)
W
Bid tabulations
EVT + 2 years
W
Blueprints
EVT (until superseded by the as-built tracings)
W
Certified check
EVT (retain until contract has been signed and returned to bidder)
N/A
Contract
EVT + 7 years (after completion of project)
W
Master project files
EVT + 20 years (after life of structure)
N
Notice to contractors
EVT + 7 years (after completion of project)
EVT + 2 years (unsuccessful bidders)
W
Performance bond
EVT + 7 years (after completion of project)
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Annual reports
Permanently
W
Complaint ledger
CR + 2 years
W
Fuel usage reports
CR + 2 years
W
Heavy equipment and vehicle
EVT (life of equipment and/or vehicle inventory ledger or until inventory ledger is superseded)
W
Monthly reports
CR + 2 years
W
Payroll support records
CR + 2 years
W
Purchasing records
CR + 7 years
W
Stock control records
CR + 2 years
W
Street and sidewalk maintenance and repair
CR + 25 years
W
Street operations file
CR + 2 years (after created)
W
Tree planting, inspection, trimming and removal
CR + 25 years
W
Vehicle expense reports
EVT (life of vehicle)
W
Vehicle maintenance histories
EVT (life of vehicle)
W
Vehicle usage reports
CR + 2 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Aerial photographs
Permanently
N/A
Master park plan
Permanently
N/A
Master reservation book
CR + 2 years
W
Payroll support records
CR + 2 years
W
Plats
Permanently
N/A
Records of the Board of Park Commissioners (includes minutes of the meetings of the Board and supporting documents submitted to the Board)
Permanently
N/A
Reservation requests
CR + 30 days. If payment receipts are attached, CR + 7 years
W
Supervisor's daily report of work completed
CR + 2 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Applications and permits
EVT (life of structure)
W
Certificates of occupancy
EVT (until superseded)
W
Code compliance inspection reports
EVT (life of structure)
W
Energy calculation worksheets
CR + 3 years
W
Inspection address file
EVT (life of structure)
W
Permit fee receipts
FIS + 7 years
W
Permit ledger
CR + 7 years
W
Quarter section maps, copies
EVT (until superseded)
W
Records of Plan Commission (includes minutes of Commission meetings and supporting documents submitted to Commission)
Permanent
N/A
Records of the Building Board of Appeals, (includes minutes of meetings of the Board and supporting documents submitted to the Board)
Permanent
W
Records of the Zoning Board of Appeals (includes minutes of meetings of the Board and supporting documents submitted to the Board)
Permanent
N/A
State approved commercial building plans
EVT + 4 years
W
Village attorney's case file, copy
EVT + 1 year (after case has been closed)
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Complaints and follow-up reports
EVT + 5 years (from the date the complaint was resolved)
W
Food handling and sale permits
EVT + 3 years
W
Open air burning permits
EVT + 6 months
W
Public swimming pools, campgrounds and camping, mobile home parks, recreational and educational camps, restaurants and taverns, hotels, motels, tourist rooms, rooming houses, nursing homes, vending machine survey reports and retail dairy case, milk products, retail and wholesale establishment reports
EVT + 5 years
W
Request to declare a medical emergency
EVT + 3 years
W
Restaurant license applications
EVT + 3 years
W
Retail dairy products licenses
EVT + 3 years
W
Septic tank permits
Permanent
N/A
Utility disconnections in private residence investigation reports
CR + 3 years
W
Weights and measures field test reports and package weighing reports
CR + 3 years
W
The following public records may be destroyed after the expiration of the designated retention period:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
All other utility records
CR + 7 years
W
Analyses of any water samples taken from the water system
EVT + 10 years (under Section NR 209.12, Wisconsin Administrative Code)
W
Customer records:
Complaint records
CR + 3 years
W
Customer deposit
EVT + 6 years (after refund)
W
Meter reading sheets or cards
CR + 6 years
W
Billing records
CR + 6 years
W
Customer's ledgers of municipal utilities
FIS + 2 years
W
Engineering records in connection with construction projects
EVT (until record is superseded or 6 years after plant is retired, provided that mortality data are retained)
W
Filed rates and rules
Permanent
W
Maps showing the location and physical characteristics of the utility plant
EVT (until map is superseded)
W
Operating records:
Station pumpage records
CR + 15 years or EVT + 3 years after the source is abandoned
W
Interruption records
CR + 6 years
W
Meter test records
EVT (see s. PSC 185.46)
W
Meter history record
EVT (life of meter)
W
Annual meter accuracy summary
CR + 10 years
W
Pressure records
CR + 6 years
W
Receipts of current billings
FIS + 2 years
W
Water quality laboratory tests (deep well and landfill well water analysis detail and summary reports; chemical and bacteriological analysis of municipal drinking water detail and summary reports; municipal drinking water fluoride analysis; swimming pool water bacteriological analysis; public bathing beach water bacteriological analysis and water quality control readings)
EVT + 5 years (if information has been transferred to a permanent test site location file, EVT + 1 year)
W
Water stub
FIS + 2 years
W
All materials and supplies associated with an election may be destroyed according to the following schedule unless there is a recount or litigation pending with respect to the election:
Records
Period of Retention
SHSW Notice
Applications for absentee ballots (for federal election ballots)
EVT (90 days after the election) (22 months after the election for federal offices)
W
Ballots (federal offices)1
EVT (22 months after election)
W
Ballots (state, county, local)
EVT (30 days after the election)
W
Campaign finance reports
EVT (6 years after date of receipt)
W
Campaign registration statements
EVT (6 years after termination by the registrant)
W
Canceled registration cards
EVT + 4 years (after cancellation)
W
Contents of a blank ballot box-unused ballots and materials
EVT (3 business days after the canvas is completed)
W
Detachable recording units on electronic voting equipment
EVT (14 days after a primary) (21 days after an election)2
W
Election notices
EVT (1 year after the election) (22 months for federal election)
W
Forms associated with election such as tally sheets, inspector's statements and nomination papers
EVT (90 days after the election) (22 months after the election for federal offices)
W
Official canvass statements
EVT (10 years after the election)
W
Proofs of publication and correspondence relative to publications
EVT (1 year after the election) (22 months for federal election)
W
Registration and poll lists-Nonpartisan primaries and elections
EVT (2 years after the election for which they were created)
W
Registration and poll lists-Partisan primaries and general elections
EVT (4 years after the election)
W
Voter serial number slips
EVT (3 business days after the canvas is completed)
W
Voting machine recorders
EVT (14 days after a primary) (21 days after an election)3
W
NOTES:
1Federal offices are President of the United States, United States Senator and Congress.
2Before units can be cleared or erased the information must be transferred to a disk or other recording medium and retained for 22 months.
3The Governor may by order permit the clearing of voting machine recorders before this date if a special election is called.