Commission directs staff to explore local sales tax advocacy, pre-approved building plans, and new revenue mechanisms to address $350,000 per-unit affordability gap
After a two-and-a-half-hour housing work session, commissioners outlined priorities ranging from state legislative advocacy for a local option sales tax to exploring pre-approved building plans and potential revenue bonds. Staff also presented data showing 394 people experiencing homelessness in Gallatin County—down from 523 the prior year—attributed to expanded shelter capacity, new affordable units, and coordinated services.
Advisory Board RoundupParks Board Grapples With Tree Canopy Goals, Budget Questions for Urban Forest Plan
The Urban Parks and Forestry Board spent its July 23 meeting reviewing a draft Urban Forest Management Plan that aims to guide the city's forest strategy over the next decade. Board members raised concerns about whether proposed canopy coverage targets are achievable without significant budget increases and questioned whether the plan adequately addresses tree protection in new developments.
Transportation Board
3 articles
Board unanimously recommends residential parking permit district near Gallatin High School
The Transportation Board voted to recommend that the City Commission consider establishing a residential parking permit district to address parking overflow from Gallatin High School onto nearby neighborhood streets. The neighborhood petition cited safety concerns and documented support from residents.
Transportation Board recommends trimming high school parking permit district
The board voted unanimously to pursue consolidating restrictions near Bozeman High School while removing them south of Main Street and along 15th Avenue. The decision comes as permit revenue fails to cover enforcement costs, prompting staff to seek more data before the city commission makes a final call.
Transportation Board approves safety initiatives, signals Oak-Ferguson project
The board unanimously adopted its 2026-2027 work plan and advanced a federally funded Safe Streets for All program featuring a new crash data platform and signal safety detection software at eight intersections. The Oak and Ferguson signal improvement project, which came under budget, moves to City Commission approval on May 5th.