Bozeman City Commission Regular Meeting - February 10, 2026

The Bozeman City Commission met on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Commission Room at City Hall. The meeting covered approval of minutes, a consent agenda, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2025, an annexation and zone map amendment, and an appointment to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board. All votes were unanimous (5-0).

Consent Calendar

• Accounts Payable Claims Review and Approval (G.1)
• Approval of depository bonds and pledged securities as of December 31, 2025 (G.2)
• Ratify the Grant Application to MT DEQ for an All Electric Aerial Bucket Truck (G.3)
• Approve the Final Plat for the Meadow Bridge Subdivision (G.4)
• Authorize City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Sanbell for 2026 Transportation Engineering Term Contract (G.5)
• Authorize City Manager to sign Professional Architectural Services Agreement with Open Studio Collaborative for Cattail Corridor Park Node Design (G.6)
• Authorize City Manager to sign Amendment 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with HDR Engineering for Lyman Transmission Main Condition Assessment (G.7)
• Authorize City Manager to sign Task Order Number 3 for right-of-way acquisition for the Fowler Avenue Connection Project (G.8)
• Resolution approving Main and Mendenhall Lighting Project as an Urban Renewal Project in the Midtown Urban Renewal District (G.9)
• Resolution amending a Development Agreement in the South Bozeman Technology Tax Increment Financing District (Montana State University Innovation Campus) (G.10)

City Manager Chuck Winn highlighted G.8 (Fowler Avenue Connection) and G.9 (Midtown lighting project connecting downtown and midtown). No public comments were received on the consent agenda. The consent items were approved 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items: Mary Bateson and Daniel Carty, Bozeman residents, commented on the B-3 height limit, requesting that a thoughtful discussion of the issue be placed on a future commission agenda. They referenced Deputy Mayor Douglas Fischer’s suggestion for a four-month review window.

• Public Comment on Action Items: No public comments were offered on the ACFR (I.1) or the annexation (I.2).

Discussion Items

• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2025 and Audit Results (I.1): Controller Aaron Funk presented the ACFR for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The city’s total net position was $740 million, an increase of $46.9 million from the prior year. Property tax revenues increased by $3.5 million due to growth, while program revenues decreased by $3.1 million, primarily from lower impact fees and development charges. Total expenditures increased by $9.7 million, including $4 million for public safety (negotiated wage increases and 12 new firefighter positions funded partly by a SAFER grant). Janeen Hathcock of Eide Bailly presented the audit results: an unmodified (clean) opinion on all 12 opinion units, no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies, and no audit findings. The city was classified as a low-risk auditee. The single audit showed no compliance issues. The Finance Director noted that the decrease in program revenues was typical of development cycles. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the thoroughness of the report and the city’s financial management. Deputy Mayor Fischer highlighted the city’s growth and the need for continued investment. The ACFR and letter of governance were approved 5-0.

• Annexation and Zone Map Amendment for 1071 Story Mill Road (I.2): Senior Planner Tom Rogers presented the application to annex 1.173 acres (two lots) and establish initial zoning of R-1 (now RA). The site is within the city’s growth area, adjacent to Bridger Creek Golf Course. Staff found the proposal met all annexation policies and zoning criteria. The Community Development Board had recommended approval unanimously. One written comment supported the annexation. The applicant, Bridger Creek Golf Course Partners, sought annexation to obtain city water and sewer services for the golf course. Commissioners discussed the transition from RA to adjacent higher-density zoning (B2M) and the five-acre preference in annexation policy. Commissioner Bode noted that future zoning changes would not raise spot zoning concerns. The annexation motion and the zone map amendment motion were each approved 5-0.

• Appointment to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (J.1): Commissioner Sweeney disclosed that the selected applicant, Danielle Nicholas, had donated to her campaign. Sweeney moved to appoint Nicholas to an at-large position for a term ending July 1, 2027. The motion was seconded and approved 5-0 after no public comment.

• FYI/Discussion: Commissioners discussed the five-acre annexation policy, the B-3 height limit, and the need for future UDC transitions. Commissioner Bode suggested requiring applicants to document neighbor outreach. Deputy Mayor Fischer emphasized giving the new UDC time to work. Commissioner Sweeney stressed the importance of examining B-3 height to protect the historic core. City Manager Winn noted that the five-acre preference was not a firm requirement.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the Regular City Commission Meeting Minutes from December 10, 2024 (5-0).
• Approved all ten consent agenda items (G.1–G.10) (5-0).
• Approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and accompanying Letter of Governance (5-0).
• Approved the annexation of 1071 Story Mill Road (1.173 acres) subject to an annexation agreement (5-0).
• Approved the zone map amendment establishing R-1 (RA) zoning for the annexed property with contingencies for implementing ordinance (5-0).
• Appointed Danielle Nicholas to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board for a term ending July 1, 2027 (5-0).
• Next meeting: The next regular commission meeting is scheduled for February 24, 2026 (no meeting February 17 due to holiday).