The Bozeman Brief

The Sustainability Advisory Board unanimously adopted its 2026-2027 work plan, which prioritizes municipal solar projects, EV charging infrastructure, and a high-performance building standard for city facilities. The board also discussed drought management, the success of the Gallatin Valley Earth Day Festival, and updates to the city's public engagement framework.

The Bozeman City Study Commission debated ward-based elections and ran out of time before reaching a decision. Commissioners also reviewed edits to the public engagement article and deferred a vote on the elected mayor position. Campbell and Maas were tasked with drafting ballot language on electoral options for the May 20th meeting.

The Bozeman City Commission approved six tax increment financing district budgets on May 12th, 2026. Commissioners amended the Midtown URD budget to fund an action plan and affordable housing loan program, while MSU students urged the commission to withhold funds from the Innovation Campus over concerns about tenants with military contracts.

The Economic Vitality Board heard presentations on two major economic development tools: Bozeman's 13-year-old community-owned fiber network, which has generated over $135 million in economic activity, and community land trusts as a model for permanent affordable homeownership. The board also approved backlogged minutes, discussed the city's engagement framework, and cancelled the July meeting.

The Bozeman City Commission approved the Hanson Lane annexation unanimously but split 3-1 on zoning, choosing RB over RA amid heated debate from Harvest Creek residents. The commission also approved traffic safety grants, appointed a Police Commission member, and discussed downtown creek restoration efforts.

The Community Development Board held a work session on Bozeman's Urban Forest Master Plan update, with extensive discussion on protecting existing mature trees during development. The board also approved its 2026-2027 work plan and canceled its May 18th meeting.

The Bozeman City Study Commission spent nearly four hours on April 30th working through proposed charter language on neighborhood associations, city boards, and the municipal court. The commission also took an initial pulse on whether Bozeman should adopt a ward-based election system and voted unanimously to create a standalone judicial branch article in the charter.

The Bozeman City Commission held a lengthy work session on April 28th to shape the city manager's two-year priorities. Before diving into that, commissioners used FYI remarks to stake out positions on a community request for interim zoning in the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District—with at least three commissioners expressing opposition. The commission also continued a consent item on appea...

The Bozeman City Study Commission voted 4-to-1 to release survey data to the Gallatin Valley Sentinel in a question-by-question format that protects respondent confidentiality. The commission also began reviewing draft charter language creating a new Article 7 on civic engagement, with significant discussion around neighborhood associations, staffing requirements, and decision-making processes.

The Urban Parks and Forestry Board unanimously adopted its 2026-27 work plan and received updates on the Urban Forest Management Plan now in development. The board also heard director updates on new sports fields, early-stage discussions about a baseball diamond complex and community center, and park superintendent retirement after 34 years.

The Bozeman Transportation Board met on April 22, 2026, to discuss staff updates on capital projects, adopt its two-year work plan, and conduct an in-depth scoping discussion for the city's decennial Transportation Master Plan update. The board also seated new members and appointed representatives to the Administrative Review Board for parking citation appeals.

The Bozeman City Commission unanimously approves a cooperation agreement with Kupchynske, Ukraine, hears an economic impact analysis of the Yellowstone Fiber Network showing $135M in economic activity, and debates whether written meeting minutes adequately serve as public records. The meeting also covers plans to install 400+ stop signs, a water treatment plant monitoring violation, and a phishing...

The Downtown Area Urban Renewal District Board approved its fiscal year 2027-28 budget and spent most of the meeting debating whether to fund a $32,500 blight study for a potential federal building parking project. The board also discussed how city legal review is affecting the timeline for the infrastructure grant program's first applicant.

The Bozeman Community Development Board unanimously approved R-B zoning for the Hanson Lane annexation despite significant public opposition, and heard from Economic Development Director Britt Fontenot about the city's strategy for supporting traded-sector jobs and addressing housing affordability.

The Tax Increment Finance Advisory Board reviewed and approved biennial work plans and budgets for four TIF districts on April 16, 2026. Key discussion points included a proposed $2.5 million housing acquisition loan fund for the Midtown district, a railroad quiet zone project spanning multiple districts, and amendments clarifying the board's role in approving existing development agreements.

The Historic Preservation Advisory Board meets to discuss how the city's Certificate of Appropriateness process works in practice, hears first impressions from consultants updating the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District design guidelines, and votes to recommend the City Commission consider an interim zoning ordinance.

The Bozeman Downtown BID Board heard two major presentations on April 15th: a strategic planning consultant from Montana State University seeking community input on workforce development needs, and city officials unveiling updates to the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District design guidelines. The board also reviewed survey results from the downtown parking vision plan.

The Bozeman City Study Commission tightens its timeline for producing draft charter language while selecting a ballot education firm and gathering crucial input on neighborhood associations and county governance structures. Commissioners also hosted Gallatin County officials for a working session on districts, compensation, and advisory boards.

The April 14th City Commission meeting featured emotional testimony on traffic safety following recent crashes involving a nurse and an adolescent boy. Commissioners signaled support for doubling the annual multimodal improvements fund and scheduling a follow-up work session to develop a bolder vision for pedestrian and bicycle safety. Also covered: updates on the Fowler Avenue housing project, co...

The Inter-Neighborhood Council debates bylaws and quorum requirements, then confronts their City Commission liaison about the lack of public discussion on interim zoning in the NCOD. The council also receives updates on water resources, neighborhood communications, and upcoming engagement efforts.

The Bozeman Sustainability Advisory Board discusses the Branch Out Bozeman tree-planting partnership and a new ten-year Urban Forest Management Plan in development. The board also votes on a winning student poster from a reusable bag awareness contest and learns about a new non-voting student seat being created on city advisory boards.

Street safety crisis demands action from Bozeman community

The April 7th City Commission meeting featured a unanimous vote on the Bikeville Community Bike Park master plan, annual reports on equal pay progress and fire department operations, and public comment on climate sustainability and housing policy. The commission also discussed the city's approach to AI technology and approved several other items.

The Bozeman City Study Commission examines whether advisory boards and neighborhood associations effectively connect residents to city government. The commission hears from longtime board members about the transition from 40 individual boards to a consolidated system, explores geographic representation through wards, and digs into best practices for neighborhood council effectiveness.

Bozeman's Community Housing Manager presents a major overhaul of the Affordable Housing Ordinance, proposing changes to rental and for-sale housing provisions, LIHTC project streamlining, and replacement incentives as parking minimums disappear under state law. The Economic Vitality Board probes whether the city is getting enough affordable units for the incentives it's offering.