Bozeman City Commission Regular Meeting – October 6, 2026

The Bozeman City Commission met on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Commission Room at City Hall. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, public testimony on a proposed parking district, a mayoral proclamation for Fire Prevention Week, a special presentation on the 70th Montana Legislature, and a work session on potential community ballot issues. No final decisions were made on ballot measures, but commissioners narrowed focus to housing and transit funding for the near term.

Consent Calendar

• F.2: Ratified a Montana Department of Transportation grant to fund a full-time traffic enforcement officer in the Bozeman Police Department.
• F.3 was pulled from the agenda.
• All remaining consent items (F.1, F.4–F.11) were approved unanimously (5–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gallatin High School Parking District: Multiple residents (Courtney Johnson, Richard Smith, Joshua Stack, Kim Falls, Ron Salto, Scott Johnson, Brianne Walsh, and others) expressed strong support for advancing a residential parking permit district near Gallatin High School. They cited safety hazards, obstructed sightlines, and near-miss accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. Speakers urged the Commission to schedule a hearing—possibly by a special meeting—before further delay. Several noted the process has stretched into its third year despite unanimous Transportation Advisory Board recommendation. A second-grade child (Audrey) also testified about feeling unsafe while biking.
• Non‑agenda comments:
  • Janae Johnson (CEO, Bozeman Public Library Friends and Foundation) announced a private‑funded West Side Library Branch (estimated $25–$30 million) to be gifted to the city, with a request for an operating levy in 2029.
  • Mark Campanelli (Bogert Park Neighbors Association) expressed frustration with parking enforcement and neighborhood responsiveness, cautioning against labeling residents as NIMBYs.

Mayoral Proclamation

• Mayor Morrison proclaimed October 4–10, 2026 as Fire Prevention Week with the theme “Charge into Safety – Safe Charging is a Superpower,” emphasizing safe use of lithium‑ion batteries.

Special Presentation: 70th Session of the Montana Legislature

• Staff (Jesse DiTommaso, Economic Development Coordinator) and lobbyist Danny Hess (Central House Strategies) outlined the city’s legislative preparation. Key points:
  • Nearly 700 bill draft requests already filed.
  • Priority system for city staff review: highest impact on current operations, then adopted city plans, then beneficial bills.
  • Proactive efforts include a municipal water bill linking land‑use planning with water planning, in partnership with other cities and the League of Cities and Towns.
  • Monitoring property tax reform, local government interim committee studies (special districts, voted bonds/levies), and water policy (exempt wells).
  • Discussion of a potential local voter‑approved tourist tax to generate revenue for city services.

Work Session: Community Ballot Issues

Commissioners discussed possible ballot measures for 2027–2028, guided by a rubric evaluating urgency, cost, community support, and scope. No binding decisions were made, but consensus emerged on several points:

Priority Areas

• Housing: Identified as the top priority. Commissioners expressed support for a dedicated funding source (e.g., a property tax levy or bond) to address gaps in deeply affordable rental and entry‑level homeownership. The city has 10 acres of land (Fowler site + five acres from Turnrow annexation) that could be used for mixed‑income development. A levy failure in 2021 was attributed to lack of specific spending plan.
• Streamline Transit (GVUTD): The Urban Transportation District is considering a funding measure in fall 2027 or spring 2028. Commissioners noted strong past voter support (79% approved district creation) and the importance of transit as the second largest household expense ($13,000/year on average). Streamline provided 165,000 rides in the prior year.
• Fire Station #4: Discussed as a high‑cost, city‑only need, but commissioners expressed caution after a recent ballot failure. City Manager noted a SAFER grant funds 12 firefighters for two years; ongoing operations would require voter‑approved levy or bond.
• Pool, Library, Senior Center, Mental/Behavioral Health, EMS: These were considered longer‑term or regional issues. The library foundation will seek an operating levy no earlier than 2029. EMS and behavioral health may require county‑wide or special district solutions (possible 2028 ballot). The senior center has $1.4 million in CIP improvements but no ballot ask scheduled.

Next Steps

• Commissioners agreed to fund a statistically valid survey (budgeted) to test voter support for housing and transit levies, and potentially other items like aquatics and fire station.
• City Manager directed to develop a survey scope and timeline, with results expected before December 1, 2026.
• Staff will present detailed housing plans at a November 10 work session (Fowler consensus process) and December 1 work session (municipal revenue bonds).
• The Gallatin High School parking district hearing remains scheduled for December 1; City Manager offered to explore moving it sooner.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (items F.1, F.2, F.4–F.11) 5–0.
• No formal votes on ballot issues; direction given to staff to prepare polling and refine housing proposals.
• Parking district hearing currently set for December 1, 2026; City Manager will investigate accelerating the date.
• Future work sessions will further define housing funding mechanisms and transit levy options.