HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-26 Public Comment - K. Bergevin - governance topicsFrom:Kathy Bergevin
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]governance topics
Date:Saturday, January 24, 2026 7:15:42 PM
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Dear Study Commissioners,
I.understand that there is a general concensus among study commission members that the
residents of bozeman are genreally satisfied with the structure of Bozeman city government
as is because people are not turning out to your meetings. Working taxpayers cannot
generally make a meeting at 4:00 p.m. on a work day, if you want people to turn out may I
suggest moving the the time of the meeting to an evening? More public surveys, with an
effort to reach all of the citizens of Bozeman?
Since I am unable to make the meetings, Id like to share my views on a few critical issues I
understand that you will be drafting.
1. Eliminate the Deputy Mayor position. It is unnecessary. Also, when the voters vote in a
new mayor and desire a new direction for the city we must wait 2 years for this to start.
2. I'd like to see you reject full-time salaried city commissioners as an option. City
leadership should not become a career path, but an act of civic duty, not a financial
incentive, avoiding the career politicians. This would encourage regular residents to
serve for a few years while maintaining their private lives and careers. Bozemans budget
is already half a billion dollars, and adding full time salaries for commisioners adds to
the heavy burden taxpayers are already paying.
3. I believe the city charter should be changed to mandate special elections for filling
vacancies on the city commission. We should be allowed to vote on the person and not
be a special interest appointee, as we have seen in the past. IF they are to represent
the people then the people should get to vote on them. It also prevents cronyism.
4. Keep city commission and mayoral terms to 4 years and establish term limits. We dont'
need career politicians as we see in our federal government. Without term limits
incumbents can build a powerful political machine that make it nearly impossible for
new voices to break into city leadership.
Thank you for giving of your time to serve on the study commission. Please Remember that
you were elected to represent all the citizens of Bozeman, and not the will of the current city
commission or special interest groups.
Sincerly,
Kathy Bergevin
Bozeman resident