The Bozeman City Study Commission completed final edits to the amended city charter and accompanying report on June 4th, setting the stage for a public hearing scheduled for June 18th. Four of five commissioners were present, with Commissioner Barb Cestero excused and Commissioner Carson Taylor attending remotely. Chair Becky Franks presided over the meeting, which included substantive discussions on neighborhood council authority, advisory board appointments, and financial oversight provisions.
Mayor Joey Morrison addressed the commission during public comment in his personal capacity, focusing on the Inter-Neighborhood Council's role and representation. Morrison argued that strengthening neighborhood associations should come through increased participation thresholds and broader community engagement rather than expanded authority to compel city commission action. He cited an October poll on the Unified Development Code where the highest neighborhood response rate was just 53 residents out of 3,600—less than one half of one percent. Morrison also noted he had lived in three neighborhood associations without ever being polled or canvassed by any of them, suggesting current representation mechanisms may not reflect broader community views.
The commission also introduced its ballot education consultant, Dangeld, a firm that will help translate the formal charter language into accessible public information for voters. Partner Nevin Graves outlined the firm's approach to nonpartisan voter outreach across multiple channels. Commissioners debated several charter provisions, voting to remove flexibility language from INC consultation requirements and to establish stronger advertising standards for advisory board vacancies. The June 18th public hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m., preceded by a 5 p.m. social period, with the final charter draft available to the public by Saturday at noon.