The Bozeman City Commission held its second budget work session on June 9, focused on general fund and special revenue funds for the 2027-2028 biennium. Finance Director Melissa Hodnett presented a general fund totaling $137.8 million, with property taxes accounting for nearly 70 percent of revenues. The city projects a net increase of about 1 percent in property tax revenues for fiscal year 2027, driven by approximately $7.2 million in newly taxable value from new construction, despite a 1.3 percent decrease in certified taxable value due to recent state legislative changes.
The budget recommends new staffing across multiple departments, with the most significant additions in police—four sworn positions each year plus support staff. Police Chief Jim Belcamp explained the department currently has about 70 to 71 officers on duty but was recommended to have 79 by 2021. The proposed budget would bring staffing to approximately 89 by the end of fiscal year 2028. The police additions drew substantial discussion, with Deputy Mayor Douglas Fischer questioning how investments in policing should be weighed against upstream interventions like mental health services and housing. Mayor Joey Morrison noted the commission has returned to this question for three consecutive budget cycles without materializing alternatives. City Manager Chuck Winn acknowledged the tension but noted the city cannot fund mental health treatment independently.
In the sole action item, commissioners voted 5-0 to update EMS transport rates for the first time since August 2022. Fire Chief Josh Waldo reported that fire department backup ambulance transports have grown from one or two monthly to an average of 177 per year. The department collects approximately 42 percent of what it bills. New rates will now be adjusted annually by the consumer price index rather than waiting years between updates. The commission will formally adopt the budget on June 23.