All taxicabs operated under the authority of this section, except
those operating under the Onalaska Shared Ride Program, shall be equipped
with taximeters fastened in front of the passengers, visible to them
at all times, day and night; and, after sundown, the face of the taximeter
shall be illuminated. Said taximeter shall be operated mechanically,
be a mechanism of standard design and construction, driven either
from the transmission or from one of the front wheels by a flexible
and permanently attached driving mechanism. They shall be sealed at
all points and connections which, if manipulated, would affect their
correct reading and recording. Each taximeter shall have thereon a
flag to denote when the vehicle is employed and when it is not employed,
and it shall be the duty of the driver to throw the flag of such taximeter
into a nonrecording position at the termination of each trip. The
said taximeters shall be subject to inspection from time to time by
the Police Department. Any law enforcement officer is hereby authorized,
either on complaint of any person or without any complaint, to inspect
any meter and, upon discovering any inaccuracy therein, to notify
the person operating such taxicab to cease operation. Thereupon, said
taxicab shall be kept off the highways until the taximeter is repaired
and in the required working condition. Each vehicle operated under
a license required by this section shall have displayed in a prominent
place therein the schedule of rates charged. The licensee shall submit
to the Common Council with each application a schedule of the rates
proposed to be charged during the license year. The Common Council
may approve or disapprove the proposed rates or may substitute in
its discretion a rate or rates which shall be reasonable under the
circumstances.