HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Commission Questionnaire to Present and Past Officials BOZEMAN CITY STUDY COMMISSION QUESTIONNAIRE
For Current and Former Local Government Officials:
The Bozeman City Study Commission seeks the input of past and present elected
officials and city managers as we explore current issues facing the city in regards to the
form of government. Your participation is strictly voluntary and we thank you in advance
for your time and consideration. Responses to the questionnaire will be considered public
information and will help to guide the Bozeman City Study Commission in its review of
the efficacy of Bozeman's municipal government. You may choose to participate
anonymously if you wish.
You may complete the questionnaire by hand or in digital format (by request to
rsullivan@bozeman.net). If you choose not to use this form, please number your
responses to indicate which questions you are addressing. Directions for directing your
completed questionnaire are provided on the final page.
Following are a series of questions designed to address a variety of issues;please respond
to as many of the questions as possible. You will find it useful to read through the
questionnaire in its entirety before beginning. Please feel free to provide additional
feedback either at the end of this form or in a different format.
NAME: (optional)
CONTACT INFORMATION: (phone)
(optional)
(Email)
SERVICE HISTORY:
Please indicate your status: (Check all that apply)
Current elected official Former elected official
Current City Manager Former City Manager
Other(Specify: )
Dates of service: to
NEXT STEPS:
May the City Study Commission contact you in regards to sharing your views with all or
part of the commission?
City of Bozeman Study Commission Survey of Officials-Page 1 of 7
1. What are the most important problems presently confronting the City of Bozeman
government? How do you believe these problems should be addressed?
2. What changes, if any, in governmental structures, organization or powers would help
the local government deal with its most important problems?
3. What are the City of Bozeman's most important successes (in terms of the execution
and function of municipal government)?
City of Bozeman Study Commission Survey of Officials-Page 2 of 7
REPRESENTATION
4. Do you believe there is a need for a change in the number of commissioners/council or
a change in the term of office? Please explain why or why not.
5. Should the elected officials of Bozeman run for office in districted (ward based) or at-
large elections or a mix of wards and at large? Please elaborate.
6. Are you familiar with the Inter-neighborhood Council (INC)? If yes, do you
believe the INC effectively represents the concerns of neighborhoods and their residents
to local elected officials? How may it be improved?
City of Bozeman Study Commission Survey of Officials-Page 3 of 7
REPRESENTATION CONTINUED
7. Do you feel there is a need for a change in the way the mayor is elected? Please
explain why or why not.
8. What can be done to make running for office more attractive?
9. Some communities have mandatory and/or voluntary limits on campaign spending.
Do you believe the Study Commission should explore this idea?
City of Bozeman Study Commission Survey of Officials-Page 4 of 7
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
10. Could greater efficiency in the delivery of essential services result from the
consolidation of local governments? Please elaborate.
11. Should Bozeman have a city charter? Please explain why or why not.
13. If so, what do you believe the charter needs to address (beyond basic administrative
and constitutional issues)?
14. Should the charter address the need for greater professionalism and ethical conduct
from elected and appointed officials?
City of Bozeman Study Commission Survey of Officials -Page 5 of 7
15. Should restrictions, fiscal or otherwise,be in the charter? Please elaborate.
SUB-STRUCTURES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
16. Are city boards and councils adequately advising the city commission?
a. If not,how may they be improved?
b. Should the terms of board members be staggered to provide continuity after
elections?
c. Are there any city boards that you consider redundant or unnecessary?
d. Are there any city boards that you believe need to be established?
e. Does the public receive and adequate opportunity for input at city board
hearings? If not,how could the opportunity for public input be expanded?
City of Bozeman Study Commission Survey of Officials-Page 6 of 7
FISCAL MATTERS
17. Have you been satisfied with the financial controls including the budget process?
18. Are financial reports timely, accurate and informative?
19. What changes to the finance and budget process would you suggest?
THANK YOU!
Please return by Wednesday,.March 2, 2005.
Please submit your completed questionnaire to: Bozeman Study Commission, c/o Robin
Sullivan, City of Bozeman,411 East Main Street,Bozeman,MT 59715
Or send it by e-mail to: rsullivan@bozeman.net
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Please share any ideas or concerns that you may have:
City of Bozeman Study Commission Survey of Officials-Page 7 of 7