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About the City Charter Process
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On Tuesday, June 4th, Bozeman voters will have the chance to vote FOR or AGAINST the creation of a local government study commission. Under the Montana Constitution, every county, city, and town must ask voters this question every 10 years.
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If the June 4th vote passes, Bozeman voters will have the opportunity to vote for 5 candidates that will form the study commission. This vote will take place on Tuesday, November 5th. The study commission will be tasked with reviewing the effectiveness of our local government and crafting a city charter proposal with engagement from the community.
Study commission meetings will be public and supported by city administration and one member of the Bozeman City Commission will serve as a liaison. The City of Bozeman has dedicated one mill, or $233,000, to fund this effort. This project does not raise your taxes. Funds are allocated to cover the costs of surveys, advertising and notices, staff administration, and election fees. Unused funds go back into the general fund.
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Lastly, if the study commission can come to agreement, they will bring a ballot initiative to Bozeman voters recommending changes to the Bozeman City Charter. Bozeman voters will get to deny or support these changes in 2025 or 2026.
What will the ballot measure on June 4th actually look like?
Under Ballot Issues, it will say, “STUDY COMMSSION QUESTION FOR CITY OF BOZEMAN.” There will be a similar question for Gallatin County. You will be asked to vote FOR or AGAINST the review of the city of Bozeman.
What happens if the June 4th ballot measure passes?
Members of the community will get to run as candidates for the study commission. Voters will get to elect 5 members of the committee during the general election on Tuesday, November 5th.
Will this project increase my taxes?
No. Project funds are already budgeted based on Bozeman’s size. Funds are set aside to cover the cost of training for the study commission members, surveys and community engagement, advertising and notices, and city staff time to take minutes and record meetings. It is unlikely the commission will utilize all of the budgeted funds, and unused dollars will return to the general fund. The budget limit is $233,000, which is one mill.
How has the current city charter been ineffective?
In its current form, our City Commission consists of 5 at-large commissioners. Historically, members of this body have almost exclusively lived in the neighborhoods surrounding Montana State University. This is not representative of our community, and as Bozeman grows, we will need increased representation from across the city to meet our community’s needs.
Where else can I learn about the local government study review?
Montana State University Extension provided an educational briefing to the public on this project. Access their website by clicking here.
See what people in the community are saying via our News page.
Lastly, you may want to read the current Bozeman City Charter yourself. Simply click here.