HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Commission - Brief History of Bozeman's Form of GovernmentA Brief History of the Form of Government
Study Commission Organizational Meeting 2024
Foundational Era
•1883 – Incorporation, three wards, highest
vote-getter serves as Mayor
•1904 – 2nd class City as population over 5000
•1912 – Move to City Manager form failed at
election
•1921 – Voters in favor of move to City
Manager form
•1922 – 3 at-large Commissioners, highest vote-
getter serves as Mayor
•1929 – Officially abolished the wards within
the City
Evolution and Growth
•1970 – City Commission expanded to 5 members as
result of 15000 population
•1983 – Self-government powers failed via election
•1987 – Code of Ethics added
•2000 – Self-government powers adopted via
election
•2005 – Switch from Clerk of the Commission to City
Clerk
•2007 – Creation of Board of Ethics
•2010 – Expansion of Commission to 7 failed via
election
•2014 – Government Study failed via election
Study Commission History
1976:
Recommended self-government powers with a charter, 3
districts, Mayor and Deputy Mayor at-large;
Voters opted to maintain the commission-manager form with
general powers
1986:
Recommended no change; minority report recommended
self-government powers with a charter
1996:
Recommended self-government powers with a charter,
maintain commission-manager form, with three districts, 7-
member Commission total, direct election of Mayor; Voters
opted to retain the current form
2006:
Current Charter was adopted by voters