HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-24 Public Comment - K. Silvestri - Local Government ReviewFrom:Kenneth Silvestri
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Local Government Review
Date:Tuesday, March 5, 2024 10:42:28 AM
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Dear City Commissioners,
While the City is legally required by the Montana Constitution to adopt a resolution providing
for a local government review every 10 years, I urge you to include more than the required 3
members of the study commission to have 5 or even 7 members to increase the diversity of
backgrounds and perspectives needed to capture the multitude of intersecting factors and
changes impacting our City.
Many of these changes have caused a serious deficit of trust and confidence in our local
government to meet these challenges to better balance the needs of all citizens they impact.
We therefore need to explore increasing the number of City Commissioners and how they
represent our citizens in ways that are more responsive to our needs and interests such as
district voting and representation. Furthermore, the recent City Manager video demonstrates
the risks involved in granting so much power to an unelected City Manager who operates in
many ways unaccountable to the public. Therefore, we need to also explore changing to a full-
time executive mayor with veto power over City Commission votes that is more accountable
to the public through elections. Lastly, we desperately need to increase checks and balances
on local government zoning powers and development processes which is the root cause of
much of the deficit of trust and confidence.
Thank you for taking the time to read my comment and consider the increased number of
study commission members regarding the local government review.
Ken Silvestri
5785 Saxon Way, Unit A
Bozeman, MT 59718