HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-26 Public Comment - D. Carty - Public Comment_ Economic Vitality Board Meeting, Feb 4, 2026From:Daniel Carty
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Brit Fontenot; David Fine
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment: Economic Vitality Board Meeting, Feb 4, 2026
Date:Wednesday, February 4, 2026 8:07:15 AM
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(Please distribute to all Economic Vitality Board members in time for today's EVB meeting
and post in the Economic Vitality Board folder. Thank you.)
February 4, 2026; 8:10 a.m.
To: Economic Vitality Board (EVB)Subject: Public comments on Agenda Item E.1 - Special Presentation: EVB Onboarding
and Action Item F.1 - EVB Two-year Work Plan for 2026 - 2027.
Public Comment: Agenda Item E.1 - Special Presentation: EVB Onboarding
I am writing to ask the EVB to (1) record dissenting (aka minority) opinions in its meeting
minutes and (2) forward both majority opinions and dissenting opinions to the City
Commission for the Commission's consideration. My reasons for making these tworequests are as follows:
Resolution 5323, Section 2, No. 6, states that City advisory board members shall adhere to
the One Body, One Voice principle in communications to the City Commission on mattersunder an advisory board’s purview or on matters that may come under an advisory board’s
purview. However, Resolution 5323’s One Body, One Voice principle fails to record orotherwise make positive use of dissenting opinions—which play a vital role in our
constitutional democracy at all levels of government. For example, dissenting opinions areinvaluable to our constitutional democracy because they provide, e.g.,
Permanent Public Record for future reference.
Foundation for Change – Dissenting opinions provide clues for overturning prior
decisions and thus become the basis for future majority opinions.
Correction of Errors – Dissenting opinions highlight mistakes in a majority's
reasoning, facts, or interpretations.
Improved Decision-Making – Dissenting opinions force a critical examination of
issues and help keep a majority accountable.
Validation of Alternative Viewpoints – Acknowledging the validity of opposing
views and ensuring that even losing arguments are heard and considered.
Increased Innovation – Dissenting opinions encourage unique ideas, leading to
better problem-solving and increased innovation.
Enhanced Advisory Board Culture – Recording dissenting opinions conveys to
board members that all viewpoints are valued, thus fostering a more inclusive
atmosphere.
Calls to Action – A dissenting opinion can signal the urgency or gravity of a
situation, serving as a call to action.
In conclusion, I reiterate my requests that the EVB (1) record dissenting (aka minority)
opinions in its meeting minutes and (2) forward both majority opinions and dissentingopinions to the City Commission for the Commission's consideration.
Public Comment: Action Item F.1 - EVB Work Plan for 2026 - 2027
I am writing to ask the EVB to modify its 2026 - 2027 Work Plan to (1) prioritize local-sector
jobs (aka local-area jobs) over traded-sector jobs and (2) prioritize increasing thewages/livability of local-area jobs. My reasons for making these two requests are as
follows:
Usually, cities focus on attracting traded-sector jobs because—as the paradigm goes—each new traded-sector job can create several local-sector jobs. However, this paradigm
fails to guarantee that traded-sector jobs will create local-sector jobs that pay a living wageor even pay a livable wage.
For example: A 2019 study published in the peer-reviewed journal, Research Policy1,
investigated the effects of high-tech growth on low-skilled workers and mid-skilled workers
employed in local-area jobs in the UK during 2009 - 2015. The study found that high-tech
industries can have a positive job-multiplier effect. Low-skilled workers in local-area jobs
gained from higher employment rates; however, low-skilled workers occupying these jobs
were often doing poorly paid service work, and so their average wages fell, particularly
when increased housing costs were considered. Mid-skilled, local-area workers benefitted
from higher wages; however, their employment rates did not increase.
This is but one example that provides evidence that bringing in new traded-sector jobs does
not necessarily translate into local-sector jobs that will pay a living wage or will pay even a
livable wage. Hence, I reiterate my requests for the EVB to modify its 2026 - 2027 Work
Plan to (1) prioritize local-sector jobs (aka local-area jobs) over traded-sector jobs and (2)
prioritize increasing the wages/livability of local-area jobs.
1 Lee, N. and Clarke, S. 2019. Do low-skilled workers gain from high-tech employment
growth? High-technology multipliers, employment and wages in Britain. Research
Policy 48: 1 - 11.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on EVB Agenda Items E.1 and F.1.
Sincerely,
Daniel Carty213 N.3rd Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715