Board of Review (BOR) - Removal of Members

Sec. 70.47, Wis. Stats.

1. Can a property owner request removal of more than one BOR member?


2. Can an alternate BOR member be removed?


3. How can the BOR conduct business if a BOR member cannot attend a regularly scheduled meeting, and at that meeting, a property owner requests removal of a BOR member(s)?


4. What is the impact on the BOR's authority if a trained member is removed from a specific case?


5. Can the assessor request the removal of a BOR member, referring to any of the reasons the property owner is allowed to cite?

1. Can a property owner request removal of more than one BOR member?
   
   

   • Yes. However, only one member can be removed without identifying a reason if there is a timely request (sec. 70.47(6m)(a), Wis. Stats.).
     Note: This option is not available in first and second class cities.

   • Other member(s) can be removed for bias under sec. 70.47(6m)(a)3, Wis. Stats.



2. Can an alternate BOR member be removed?
   
   

   Yes. An alternate member can be removed for bias if the property owner follows state law (sec. 70.47(6m)(a)3, Wis. Stats.).



3. How can the BOR conduct business if a BOR member cannot attend a regularly scheduled meeting, and at that meeting, a property owner requests removal of a BOR member(s)?
   
   

   If a BOR member cannot attend the meeting, the municipality must have an alternate member(s) in place to attend.



4. What is the impact on the BOR's authority if a trained member is removed from a specific case?
   
   

   There is no impact as long as a quorum (a majority of BOR members) of the BOR decides the case. The requirement is that the BOR (as a body) includes a trained member, but it is not necessary to have a trained member hear a specific objection if the trained member is removed. The trained member may remain in the room and is allowed to offer procedural advice to the BOR.



5. Can the assessor request the removal of a BOR member, referring to any of the reasons the property owner is allowed to cite?
   
   

   The assessor may only request removal of a BOR member for bias under state law (sec. 70.47(6m)(a)3, Wis. Stats.). Only the property owner may request removal without identifying a reason (sec. 70.47(6m)(a)1, Wis. Stats.).