HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-26 Public Comment - M. Biggs - Public Comment-Bozeman City Commission & Mayor StructureFrom:Michele Biggs
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment-Bozeman City Commission & Mayor Structure
Date:Tuesday, January 27, 2026 3:42:15 PM
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Subject: Support for Ward Representation, Modest Stipends, and Special Elections
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express my strong support for a seven-member Commission elected by wards, with modest stipends,
and for the use of special elections to fill Commission vacancies.
Although my primary residence is in El Dorado Hills, California, I own multiple properties in Bozeman, and my
adult son has lived and worked in the community for the past eight years. Bozeman is not an abstract place to me—it
is a city where my family, investments, and long-term interests are deeply rooted.
A seven-member, ward-based Commission would ensure that Bozeman’s diverse neighborhoods are meaningfully
represented. As the city continues to grow, localized representation becomes more—not less—important. Decisions
about zoning, infrastructure, housing, and public safety affect neighborhoods differently, and ward representation
helps ensure those impacts are understood and weighed fairly.
I also strongly believe Bozeman should prioritize citizen leadership over career politics. Modest stipends encourage
public service from individuals motivated by community well-being rather than personal financial gain. High
salaries and benefits risk turning Commission service into a career track, distancing leaders from the residents they
serve.
Finally, when vacancies occur, the public—not the remaining Commission members—should choose the
replacement. Special elections reinforce transparency, accountability, and public trust. Allowing a governing body
to appoint its own replacements concentrates power and weakens democratic legitimacy. Bozeman deserves
leadership that is chosen by its voters at every opportunity.
Bozeman’s future depends on governance that is representative, accountable, and grounded in service. I urge you to
support seven ward seats, modest stipends, and special elections as reforms that strengthen—not complicate—local
democracy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Michele W. Biggs