HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-31-26 Public Comment - J. Mathre - Districted electionsFrom:Don Mathre
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Districted elections
Date:Tuesday, March 31, 2026 11:02:32 AM
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If you haven't looked at the history of government change in Bozeman prior to the 1972
Constitution here is a brief note. Prior to the adoption of the Manager form of government inBozeman about 1920 or so, the city elected commissioners from districts. The commissioners
were eager to fund projects in their own districts. This may have helped to get them elected,but it ran the city into debt. The Rotary Club thought this was not desirable, so led the charge
to change the form of government, which provided for professional management.
It's one thing to think about when you decide which way to go. Another thing to consider iswhether there are minority populations that should be protected by districts. Where are they
and are they concentrated in a particular part of the city?
Judy Mathre