HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-26 Public Comment - M. Egge - Bzn Study Final Recs - Re_ 1_27 LTEFrom:Mark Egge
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Bzn Study Final Recs - Re: 1/27 LTE
Date:Tuesday, January 27, 2026 8:33:11 AM
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To the Bozeman Government Study Commission—
Regarding the questions posed in the Study Commission's 1/27 guestcolumn:
I believe that Bozeman is served well by the "city manager" form of
government. I prefer the stability and consistency of having a seasonedprofessional run the city. I think Bozeman's "director" level staff are top
notch and I suspect that their ability to do their job well is aided by having
a city manager as buffer between then and the policy directives from City
Commission.
I believe that commissioner positions should remain part time and
continue to receive only a modest stipend. This is the Montana way. As to
the idea that this system precludes the non-independently-wealthy fromparticipating, I believe the composition of our current City Commission
shows that where there's a will, there's a way.
The commission should be expanded to seven members, with four electedfrom geographic wards. We need more representation outside the
neighborhoods south of downtown. More commissioners will help "spread
the load" and make the role sustainable as part-time. Should these
commissioners be required to live in the ward they represent? I don't thinkso—but I suspect voters would tend to prefer in-ward candidates.
The deputy mayor system should go. Mayors should be elected for a four
year term. It's a nice idea, but the circumstance when someone is re-elected as mayor only to become the pupil of their former mentee is silly.
Thank you for your service on the study commission and for consideringmy comments.
Mark Egge
1548 S Grand AveBozeman, MT 59715