Wisconsin § 60.47 - Public contracts and competitive bidding.

§ 60.47. Public contracts and competitive bidding.

60.47(1) (1) Definitions. In this section: 60.47(1)(ag) (ag) “Highway” means a public way or thoroughfare, including any bridges on the public way or thoroughfare. 60.47(1)(am) (am) “Public contract” means a contract for the construction, execution, repair, remodeling or improvement of any public work or building or for the furnishing of materials or supplies. 60.47(1)(as) (as) “Public highway contract” means a contract for the construction, execution, repair, remodeling, or improvement of a highway. 60.47(1)(b) (b) “Responsible bidder” means a person who, in the judgment of the town board, is financially responsible and has the capacity and competence to faithfully and responsibly comply with the terms of the public contract. 60.47(2) (2) Notice; advertisement for bids. Except as provided in subs. (4) and (5) : 60.47(2)(a) (a) No town may enter into a public contract with an estimated cost of more than the notice threshold under sub. (2s) (b) but not more than the bidding threshold under sub. (2s) (a) unless the town board, or a town official or employee designated by the town board, gives a class 1 notice under ch. 985 before execution of that public contract. 60.47(2)(b) (b) No town may enter into a public contract with a value of more than the bidding threshold under sub. (2s) (a) unless the town board, or a town official or employee designated by the town board, advertises for proposals to perform the terms of the public contract by publishing a class 2 notice under ch. 985 . The town board may provide for additional means of advertising for bids. 60.47(2m) (2m) Public highway contracts. Notwithstanding sub. (2) , and except as provided in subs. (4) and (5) , no town may enter into a public highway contract with an estimated cost of more than the notice threshold under sub. (2s) (d) but not more than the bidding threshold under sub. (2s) (c) unless the town board, or a town official or employee designated by the town board, gives a class 1 notice under ch. 985 before execution of that public highway contract. Notwithstanding sub. (2) , and except as provided in subs. (4) and (5) , no town may enter into a public highway contract with a value of more than the bidding threshold under sub. (2s) (c) unless the town board, or a town official or employee designated by the town board, advertises for proposals to perform the terms of the public highway contract by publishing a class 2 notice under ch. 985 . The town board may provide for additional means of advertising for bids. 60.47(2s) (2s) Threshold amounts. Beginning on April 5, 2026, the thresholds under subs. (2) and (2m) are the following: 60.47(2s)(a) (a) For general public contract bidding, $50,000. 60.47(2s)(b) (b) For general public contract notice, $10,000. 60.47(2s)(c) (c) For public highway contract bidding, $25,000. 60.47(2s)(d) (d) For public highway contract notice, $5,000. 60.47(3) (3) Contracts to lowest responsible bidder. The town board shall let a public contract or public highway contract, for which advertising for proposals is required under sub. (2) (b) or (2m) to the lowest responsible bidder. Section