The Bozeman City Study Commission unanimously approved its final charter proposal Thursday evening after months of deliberation, formally advancing the amended document toward a November public ballot vote. The 12,969-word, 35-page charter represents a comprehensive review of the city's 2006 charter and proposes changes to how city commissioners are elected and how the city structures public engagement.
The commission approved the final report and authorization to submit to county elections on a 5-0 vote. The charter will present voters with two main questions: whether to adopt the amended charter, and if so, whether commissioners should live anywhere in the city or be required to reside in wards they represent. The document includes three conditional sub-options that would only take effect if voters approve wards. During the meeting, commissioners refined language regarding the Inter-Neighborhood Council's relationship to city ethics standards, settling on wording stating the council "are not bound by, but are expected to observe the city and state code of ethics." They also added explicit language requiring all city meetings and hearings to be conducted transparently and be open to the public. Commissioner Deanna Campbell indicated she may file a minority report on some aspects despite voting to approve the final document.
Immediately after approving the charter, the commission voted 5-0 to form an incidental political committee consisting of all five commissioners to conduct ballot education activities and ensure compliance with Montana's Disclose Act. City Attorney Greg Sullivan advised commissioners on legal restrictions, including prohibitions on using language explicitly calling for support or opposition and requirements to track all time and expenditures. The commission spent the remainder of the meeting planning a fall education campaign, identifying outreach at events including the Sweet Pea Slam festival, Bozeman Farmers Market, Cruisin' on Main car show, and various civic organizations. Commissioners approved a quarter-page palm card flyer and plan to finalize primary educational materials by an August 19 meeting before launching the campaign.