(1) In this section, “local governmental unit” means any city, village, town, county, metropolitan sewerage district, long-term care district, local cultural arts district under subch. V of ch. 229, or any other political subdivision of the state, or instrumentality of one or more political subdivisions of the state.
(2) If any local governmental unit wishes to increase the total base wages of its general municipal employees, as defined in s. 111.70 (1) (fm), who are part of a collective bargaining unit under subch. IV of ch. 111, in an amount that exceeds the limit under s. 111.70 (4)
(mb) 2., the governing body of the local governmental unit shall adopt a resolution to that effect. The resolution shall specify the amount by which the proposed total base wages increase will exceed the limit under s. 111.70 (4)
(mb) 2. The resolution may not take effect unless it is approved in a referendum called for that purpose. The referendum shall occur in November for collective bargaining agreements that begin the following January 1. The results of a referendum apply to the total base wages only in the next collective bargaining agreement.
(3) The referendum question shall be substantially as follows: “Shall the .... [general municipal employees] in the .... [local governmental unit] receive a total increase in wages from $....[current total base wages] to $....[proposed total base wages], which is a percentage wage increase that is .... [x] percent higher than the percent of the consumer price index increase, for a total percentage increase in wages of .... [x]?”