HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-18-26 Public Comment - Gallatin Valley Sentinel - Comments on the 6_18 Draft - Advisory BoardsFrom:The Gallatin Valley Sentinel
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Comments on the 6/18 Draft - Advisory Boards
Date:Thursday, June 18, 2026 11:39:19 AM
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To the Bozeman Study Commission:
Please consider the following comments on advisory boards in the draft charter:
The charter still lacks clear eligibility guidelines for advisory boards that have inpractice created conflicts of interest.
Our previously-submitted public comment stated: "We still recommend adding
language foradvisory board eligibilitythat specifically addresses that
individualshave a direct or indirect financial or contractual relationship with the
City of Bozeman is not eligible to serve on the board. The city’s definition
of “Conflicts of Interest” are weak at best, and it is absolutely an issue that wehave people serving on advisoryboards, giving input on, and often voting
on decisions that will directly benefit either themselves or their employers.
Our recommended language is as follows:
(ix) Eligibility. To ensure the absolute objectivity of advisory boards, noperson shall be eligible to serve on an advisory board if they, or their employer,
have a direct or indirect financial or contractual relationship with the City of
Bozeman. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to: Owners, partners, or
employees of any firm, organization, or corporation currently under contractwith, or bidding for a contract with, the City of Bozeman; Staff, volunteer, or
board members of any for-profit or non-profit organization or entity that has
received a discretionary grant or financial consideration from the City of
Bozeman within the previous twelve (12) months; Any person with a substantialindirect interest in a firm, organization, or corporation that renders services to
the City for consideration. If
a member of an advisory board, or their employer or organization, enters into
a contractual or grant-based relationship with the City of Bozeman duringthe member’s term, that member shall be deemed to have a conflict of interest
and their seat shall be considered immediately vacant. All applicants for
advisory boards shall submit a full disclosure of any professional, financial, or
volunteer ties to entities doing business with or receiving grants from the City ofBozeman. To ensure ongoing compliance with the eligibility standards of this
charter, every member of an advisory board shall file an updated disclosure
statement with the City Clerk annually by January 31st. Should a member’s
employment, financial interest, or organizational affiliation change during theirterm in a way that creates
a potential conflict under this Section, the member must notify the City Clerk
in writing within five (5) business days. The City Clerk shall review these
disclosures to ensure compliance with this Section prior to any appointment. If anew affiliation violates the eligibility requirements in this Charter, the seat shall
be declared vacant immediately."
We also do not understand the resistance to requiring that ad hoc committees
be publicly advertised. It is an issue of transparency if any group of individuals is
being selected to inform and advise the city commission or city government
without public advertisement, and the city could be losing very valuable
feedback from highly-qualified and experienced individuals who are not a part of
the city's known network of people they choose from.
Thank you,Katie AdamsThe Gallatin Valley Sentinel