Bozeman Sustainability Advisory Board Meeting - September 9, 2026

The Bozeman Sustainability Advisory Board met Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Commission Room and via video conference. The board approved its July 8, 2026 meeting minutes, received a special presentation on drought management from Water Conservation Program Manager Jessica Alstrom, and heard Sustainability Division updates from Natalie Meyer. No public comments were made in person or online.

Approval of Minutes

• The board unanimously approved the July 8, 2026 meeting minutes. No changes to the agenda and no disclosures were made.

Board FYIs

• A board member reported that the City Commission unanimously approved wetland code cleanup updates recommended by staff, an item the Sustainability Board had previously weighed in on. The Commission also directed the city manager to have staff examine moving the required timeline for wetland delineation earlier in the development process after comments from the Gallatin Watershed Council.
• Another board member noted that MSU is hosting author Auden Schendler on September 22 as part of its sustainability summit, where he will discuss his book Terrible Beauty.

Special Presentation: Drought Management

• Jessica Alstrom presented on the city's 2022 Drought Management Plan, drought monitoring approach, the 2021 drought experience, 2025-2026 conditions, and the Integrated Water Resources Plan update.
• The drought plan includes five main sections: vulnerability assessment, drought monitoring framework, drought communication campaign, drought response measures tied to four stages, and drought response enforcement.
• The drought reserve fee is 13 cents per hundred cubic feet applied to every water bill for every customer. Drought surcharges vary by customer class and stage: Stage 1 surcharges are 0-25% with a 10% citywide reduction goal; Stage 2, 10-41% with a 20% goal; Stage 3, 20-100% with a 30% goal; and Stage 4, 25-200% with a 40% goal. Stages 1 and 2 are designed to be revenue-neutral and roughly bill-neutral if customers meet the reduction goals.
• In June 2021, Gallatin County precipitation was 5-25% of normal and temperatures were about 6-8 degrees warmer than normal. The city saw 13 million gallons per day in June, compared with a typical August peak of 12 million gallons per day. The city declared a Stage 2 drought in mid-July 2021, and demand dropped by 28% when comparing mid-June through mid-July demands with the typical peak. Permanent three-day-per-week watering restrictions were adopted in 2022.
• The 2025-2026 Gallatin snowpack reached an all-time low in April based on the 30-year record, but Hyalite Reservoir filled, and summer water demands remained normal, so no drought declaration was made in 2026.
• The Integrated Water Resources Plan update is analyzing water supply alternatives and conservation measures. Staff plan to meet with the Water Advisory Committee in November, return in December or January for a draft recommendation, conduct public engagement including a statistically valid survey and open houses in February and March, and take a final plan to the City Commission around July.
• Board members asked about resident and renter communication, commercial irrigation contractors, exempt wells, drought forecasting, wildfire effects on Hyalite Reservoir, and water rate tiers. One board member shared concerns about a commercial irrigation contractor setting a sprinkler system to water 20 minutes every morning and evening. Another asked about renters' access to programs such as the garden party. Alstrom noted free sprinkler assessments, the Drop Counter water-use portal, and that renters can show proof of address to participate in the garden party.
• Alstrom explained that commercial surcharges are set based on cost of service and outdoor-use reduction opportunity, and that many commercial properties use exempt private irrigation wells that the city utility cannot regulate.

FYI/Discussion: Sustainability Division Updates

• Natalie Meyer reported on city sustainability projects and upcoming events.
• Bozeman Public Library: the original 16 kW solar array is nearly 20 years old; a new 37 kWdc rooftop addition is now in place and is expected to offset about 10% of the library's electricity use. LED upgrades and efficiency commissioning cut energy use by 30%, and new inverter monitoring will be available to the public.
• Water Reclamation Facility: the city's largest solar installation will be a 608 kW behind-the-meter array, fully self-consumed on site. The facility accounts for 36% of total city facility electricity use. Construction is expected to begin next spring.
• A 120 kW DC fast charger at the shops complex is now operating and supporting the city's EV fleet. Meyer noted that Northwestern Energy's demand charge of $1,440 per kW is expensive and said a time-of-use rate would help.
• The City Commission adopted the lead community agreement on July 21; Missoula adopted its agreement the following week. The city is on track to file with the Public Service Commission next week and will hold a public information session with Citizens' Climate Lobby on September 24.
• Bear-resistant compost totes are available at no extra charge. Meyer said the city is exploring ways to address bear conflicts, including possible regulation across garbage providers, and would welcome Sustainability Board input. A board member suggested the Gallatin Solid Waste conference on October 7-8 as a possible venue for discussion.
• Other upcoming events included a September 16 living-with-wildlife event at the Museum of the Rockies, the MSU Sustainability Summit on September 22, a Cold Climate Conference October 12-14 supporting local high school construction academies, and Northwest Bozeman Area Plan work sessions next month.

Key Outcomes

• The board unanimously approved the July 8, 2026 meeting minutes.
• No other formal votes or action items were taken during the meeting.
• Next steps identified: Public Service Commission filing next week, LEAD public information session September 24, Water Advisory Committee meetings in November and December/January, public engagement in February and March, Integrated Water Resources Plan adoption targeted around July, and Water Reclamation Facility solar construction next spring.