HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-25-24 Public Comment - K. Newman - 2025 Biennium Recommended BudgetFrom:Kristen
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]2025 Biennium Recommended Budget
Date:Tuesday, June 25, 2024 11:58:29 AM
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June 25, 2024
Dear Mayor Cunningham and Members of the Commission,
I am writing to advocate again for the staff position of a Disability Community Liaison within
the City of Bozeman.
As former liaison on the Belonging in Bozeman Plan, I experienced first hand how essentialthis position was to fostering a positive relationship with the disability community which
resulted in unprecedented level of engagement.
As liaison, I echoed what I heard within the Commission meetings - that the City is listeningthis time, that concerns are being prioritized and that disability voices are valued. I assured our
community members with disabilities that their voice mattered, that their contributions to theBozeman Equity & Inclusion plan were valued, and prioritized. I shared these successes on the
national stage just two weeks ago. I am proud of the work we did, and the City of Bozemanhas been a example for other cities to follow within this landmark Plan.
Please do not let this budget cycle silence the voices of people with disabilities, we do not
want to lose the momentum that we started. Keep the promises made. We are just one monthaway from celebrating the 34th Anniversary of the ADA, there is no better way to show the
continued commitment to the disability community than putting a Community Liaison onstaff.
While this priority #1 recommendation has been left out of the budget, the city is still actively
seeking community engagement with the disability community to meet requirements forprojects, such as the Housing Consolidated Plan, and has upcoming projects and activities that
include the disability community over the next two years.
You prioritized a Community Liaison with the PD Department. I am asking you to consideramending this recommended budget to include a Disability Community Liaison. This position
is imperative as you structure your plan of implementing Belonging in Bozeman and long termrelationship building with the disability community, regardless.
If funding cannot allow for a part-time 20 hour/week position, please consider modeling the
position at a minimum like you had for the Belonging in Bozeman Plan, at 10 hours per monthat a rate of $24/hour.
In order to give room for deciding where this position will operate out of (perhaps this liaison
could work in conjunction with your Equity & Inclusion Plan Coordinator), please consideradding this to FY26. This comes out to requesting just a mere $2880 in the budget.
This is your opportunity to show your community members with disabilities that you arecommitted to inclusion and representation in local government.
Build a big enough table that people with disabilities can have a permanent seat at it.
Allocate $2,880 for a Disability Community Liaison. We have plenty of well-qualified
welcoming individuals in Bozeman who would foster a thriving relationship with thecommunity and excel in the opportunity to represent the disability community in this role.
Thank you,
Kristen Newman