HELPFUL GUIDES

Bellevue is governed by a five-member Village Board consisting of a Village President and 4 Village Trustees. Collectively, the board has management and control of Village property, finances, streets, utilities, and public service. All positions are elected at-large during the April Spring election. 2 Village Trustees are elected in even numbered years, with the other 2 elected in odd numbered years.  The Trustee role has a fixed annual salary of $6,500.

To be placed on the April ballot, a candidate must file a Campaign Registration Statement (CF-1), a Declaration of Candidacy (EL-162), and Nomination Papers (EL-169). All forms are due no later than 5 pm on the first Tuesday of the New Year. If the form is faxed or emailed, the original document must follow postmarked no later than the first Tuesday of the New Year. 

VILLAGE PRESIDENT (WIS. STAT. § 61.24) - Statutory Authority/Duties

• Serves/votes as trustee; no veto authority.
• Presiding officer at board meetings.
• Signs all ordinances, rules, bylaws, regulations, commissions, licenses and permits adopted or authorized by the board and all orders drawn on treasury, except as provided by Wis. Stat. § 66.0607.
• Maintains peace and good order; sees that ordinances are faithfully obeyed.
• In case of disturbance, riot, or other apparent necessity, appoints special marshals.
• Charge over village jail, if applicable.
• Represents village at events - e.g., ribbon cutting ceremonies -- and often serves as point of contact for board (these are non-statutory duties; only if desired).
• Appoints persons to various boards and commissions (sometimes subject to board approval).
• Miscellaneous statutory duties in specific circumstances (e.g., § 165.55; § 80.48(3) and (4)).
• Exercises powers by Proclamation of Emergency when emergency conditions prevent board from meeting (§ 323.14 – actions subject to board ratification, alteration, modification or repeal).

VILLAGE BOARD (WIS. STAT. § 61.34) - Statutory Authority/Duties

• Management and control of village property, finances, highways, streets, navigable waters, and the public service.
• Power to act for the government and good order of village, for its commercial benefit and for health, safety, welfare and convenience of public.
• Carries out powers by license, regulation, suppression, borrowing, taxation, special assessment, appropriation, fine, imprisonment, and other necessary or convenient means.

TRUSTEES (INDIVIDUALLY) - Statutory Authority/Duties

• NONE!
• Trustees have no individual statutory authority or duties because the village board’s power is collective.
• Although trustees have no individual authority, trustees may function as a liaison between the village board and constituents or, in their individual capacity, communicate with constituents (e.g., listening sessions, newsletters, etc.).

Bellevue, as a Village, is governed by Chapter 61 of the Wisconsin State Legislature.

This form must be filed with the Bellevue Clerk’s Office as soon as you decide to become a candidate for office and before any funds are collected or spent. 

This form must be filed with the Bellevue Clerk no later than the deadline for filing nomination papers or the candidate's name will not appear on the ballot. This form must be sworn to and signed in the presence of notary or person authorized to administer oaths.

Nomination papers may be circulated any time after December 1 of the current year. You will be required to obtain a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 100 signatures for each office pursued. 

Candidate forms may be obtained from the Bellevue Village Clerk, at the Bellevue Village Offices, 2828 Allouez Avenue, or found at https://elections.wi.gov/forms.  To request a candidate packet from the Bellevue Village Clerk, contact Karen Simons at (920) 468-5225 or karens@villageofbellevuewi.gov   

Attribution statements, commonly referred to as disclaimers, are statements required to be placed on any communication containing express advocacy in order to identify the person(s) who paid for and/or authorized the communication. WIS. STAT. § 11.1303(2).

Express advocacy is a communication which clearly identifies a candidate and clearly relates to the election or defeat of the candidate. Common terms include 'Vote for', 'Elect', 'Support', 'Cast your ballot for', 'Smith for... (an elective office)', 'Vote Against', 'Defeat',  'Reject',  and 'Cast your ballot against'. (§ 11.0101(11))

Every printed advertisement, billboard, handbill, lawn sign, sample ballot, television or radio advertisement, or other communication requires an attribution.

• Example: Paid for by Mary Smith for Governor 
• Example: Paid for by Citizens for Government, Authorized by Mary Smith for Governor 
• Example: Paid for by Citizens for Government, Not Authorized by Any Candidate or Candidate's Agent or Committee  
• Example: Paid for by John Smith, Not Authorized by Any Candidate or Candidate's Agent or Committee 
• Example: Paid for by John Smith

Attribution statements do not apply to communications containing express advocacy printed on small items, which would normally require a disclaimer, but cannot be conveniently printed, including text messages, social media communications, and certain small advertisements on mobile phones. WIS. STAT. § 11.1303(2)(f).