Bozeman Local Government Study Commission Meeting - May 28, 2026

The Bozeman Local Government Study Commission met on May 28, 2026, to discuss the tentative draft of the local government study report, consider charter amendments, and receive updates on ballot education and community outreach. The meeting included review of the first draft of the tentative report, discussion of numerous amendment proposals, and a recommendation on neighborhood impact statements. Commissioner Franks was excused from the meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously (4-0) with no items pulled for discussion.

Correspondence & Study Commission Update

• Commissioner reported continuing correspondence with the neighborhood association for a presentation in late July. Another commissioner offered to present to the Sunset Rotary Club in September.
• A request for a forum by the League of Women Voters and Business and Professional Women is pending.
• In a call with Nevin from Dane Geld (consultant for ballot education), Nevin expressed excitement to start and can attend the June 4 meeting; he indicated that messaging and education related to the three sub-options would not be difficult. Engagement levels will be discussed later with the group.

Discussion Items

Tentative Report – Draft One Input

• Barb, a staff member, presented the first draft of the tentative report, emphasizing that feedback should be high-level (what is correct, missing, or wrong) rather than wordsmithing. The table of contents follows statutory requirements, and the amended charter will be inserted later.
• Commissioners praised the tone and organization. Feedback included: clarify that the report is the first study commission report in 20 years; fix references to five vs. seven commissioners; adjust language about the mayor representing Bozeman across Montana and the United States (some felt that oversimplified); and add mention of public perception that commissioners come with minds made up.
• Version control issues arose because a later iteration was emailed after the agenda was published. It was decided that written comments should be based on the version posted for the June 4 agenda.
• Barb requested that the group stop amending worksheets and instead work only in the amended charter with track changes; this was agreed to. A decision was made to remove the worksheets from the report and keep a comparison document between the current and amended charter.
• A motion to put a direct link on the website to rejected amendments failed for lack of a second. Discussion ensued about transparency vs. confusion.

Amendments and Recommendation (Items Not Reached on May 27)

• Deanna's amendments: Many were introduced but failed to get a second or failed on vote.
  • Passed: Amendment to Section 8.03C – replacing "provide opportunities for residents to influence decisions" with "provide opportunities for public input regarding decisions" (motion carried 4-0).
  • Failed: Amendments regarding preamble wording, contract participation (Section 1.03), expense reporting (Section 2.04), attendance rules (2.06), city manager role (3.04), fiscal management (Article 6), personnel and budget sections, and public engagement language (8.03A, 8.03C – flexibility language retained).
• Jan's recommendation: To have the City of Bozeman Interneighborhood Council and neighborhood associations work with the city's Department of Community Engagement to co-create a neighborhood impact statement process. Passed unanimously (4-0).
• The meeting ran out of time; remaining amendments (estimated 11) will be addressed at the June 4 meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (4-0).
• Amendment to Section 8.03C passed (4-0): replaces "influence decisions" with "input regarding decisions."
• Recommendation on neighborhood impact statements passed (4-0).
• All other amendment motions failed (no second or majority).
• The meeting will continue on June 4, 2026 to handle the remaining agenda items and amendments. Two commissioners will attend virtually; Deanna and Jan will be in the room.
• The tentative report will be updated for the June 4 meeting, incorporating feedback and using a single comparison document between the current and amended charter.