Opinion ID: 2089203
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Costs and interest.

Text: This proceeding is governed by ch. 32 of the Wisconsin statutes and the right of the prevailing party to receive interest on an award determined on appeal to the circuit court is contained in sec. 32.05 (10) (b), Stats., which reads: 32.05 Condemnation for streets, highways, storm or sanitary sewers, watercourses, alleys, airports and mass transit facilities.... .... (10) APPEAL FROM COMMISSION'S AWARD TO CIRCUIT COURT.... (b) The court shall enter judgment for the amount found to be due after giving effect to any amount paid by reason of a prior award. The judgment shall include legal interest on the amount so found due from the date of taking if judgment is for the condemnor, and from 14 days after the date of taking if judgment is for the condemnee. Costs shall be allowed pursuant to s. 271.02 (2). If the appeal was by the condemnor and if the amount of just compensation found under par. (a) exceeds the amount of the basic award, the condemnee shall be deemed the `successful party' under s. 271.02 (2). Sec. 271.02 (2), Stats., leaves the taxing of other items of cost to the discretion of the court: 271.02 Costs limited, discretionary.... (2) In equitable actions and special proceedings costs may be allowed or not to any party, in whole or in part, in the discretion of the court, and in any such case the court may award to the successful party such costs (exclusive of disbursements) not exceeding $100, as the court deems reasonable and just, in view of the nature of the case and the work involved. This subsection refers only to such costs and fees as may be taxed by the authority of the statutes, independent of any contract of the parties upon the subject, which contract shall apply unless the court finds that the provisions thereof are inequitable or unjust. The cases of Klingseisen v. State Highway Comm. (1964), 22 Wis. 2d 364, 126 N. W. 2d 40, and Frankenthal v. Wisconsin Real Estate Brokers' Board (1958), 3 Wis. 2d 249, 88 N. W. 2d 352, 89 N. W. 2d 825, relied upon by appellant, are distinguishable from this case. They stand for the proposition that costs and disbursements cannot be taxed in a proceeding against the state unless specifically authorized by statute. Such is not the situation in the case presently before us, because sec. 32.05 (10) (b), Stats., authorizes the taxation of costs. We conclude that the trial court properly exercised its discretion in this case in taxing costs and disbursements. The trial court awarded the plaintiff interest, costs and disbursements in the amount of $8,103.14, which includes interest in the amount of $7,652. The appellant takes the position that interest should have been allowed only in the amount of $3,375.89, representing the amount accrued if the trial court's decision had been rendered within sixty days after trial. We find no authority for such a position and it is contrary to the specific statutory authorization of interest accruing from 14 days after the date of taking if judgment is for the condemnee. Sec. 32.05 (10) (b), Stats. There was, therefore, no error by the trial court in its allowance of costs, disbursements and interest. By the Court. Judgment affirmed.