Village Board

Serving on the Village Board is an excellent opportunity to contribute to your community's governance and make a positive impact on the development of Bellevue.

The Village Board of Bellevue consists of five members: a Village President and four Village Trustees. Together, they are responsible for managing and overseeing Village property, finances, streets, utilities, and public services. The Village President is elected every three years, while the Village Trustees are elected in alternating years.

As a member of the Village Board, you will serve as part of the legislative branch of the Village government. It's important to note that the Board does not have executive powers, as those responsibilities are carried out by the Village Administrator, who serves under the Board's direction.

If you're interested in running for a position on the Village Board, elections are held during the April Spring election. The Village President receives an annual compensation of $9,785, while the Village Trustees receive a fixed annual compensation of $6,500.

To be considered as a candidate and have your name placed on the April ballot, you need to complete a few necessary steps. These include filing a Campaign Registration Statement (CF-1), a Declaration of Candidacy (EL-162), and Nomination Papers (EL-169). It's crucial to submit all forms by 5 pm on the first Tuesday of the New Year. If you choose to fax or email the forms, the original documents must be postmarked no later than the first Tuesday of the New Year.

Your time commitment is valued by the residents and taxpayers you represent, although mostly unseen.  

Time as a Policy Board: There are 22 regular Village Board meetings on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.  There is only 1 regular meeting in November and December. The board meetings vary in length and the agenda packet is made available 5 days prior for review. There are 2 fixed workshop meeting dates: the CIP (3rd Monday of August) and the Budget (1st Monday in October), and the duration of the workshops hover around 5 hours each. There may be additional special meeting dates needed.

Time as a Resident Connection: You may be contacted by residents, who may share their opinions, or request assistance. When individual Board members receive citizen complaints, these should be referred to the administration staff for investigation and resolution immediately. A vast majority of complaints concern enforcement issues, which must ultimately be addressed by the staff. The Administrative staff enforces zoning, ordinances, basic services, personnel matters, etc., and through the separation of duties, the Village Board establishes the rules and policies by which the staff function.

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. 

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).