This Thursday, January 28, the Bozeman Study Commission will be meeting and deciding on the following issues:

1. Deputy Mayor: Section 2.03 (b) eliminate Deputy Mayor position
   LV position: YES eliminate Deputy Mayor position
2. Partisanship: Section 6.01 (a) Election of Mayor and Commissioners will continue to be nonpartisan or switch to partisan
   LV position: Switch to partisan (a long shot)
3. Filling Commissioner Vacancies: Section 2.06 (c) Filling of Vacancies shall occur within ___ days
   LV position: 30 days
4. Other Elected Offices: Article IV
   LV position: elected Sheriff (as is) elected City Attorney (a change from what is)
5. Duties of Commissioners: Should there be a change in Section 2.01? Options include: keep it the same, make a comprehensive list, or state that the Commissioners must write a job description and then review it every 5 years.
   LV position is to define as part-time (see below)
6. Number of Commissioners and Part-time/Full-time LV position keep at five and keep part-time
7. Do we want Citizen Representation? Do we want the ability for Commissioners to work in Citizen Representation is part time, yes we want commissioners to live and work under the policies they put in place. Bozeman?
8. Mayor part-time/full-time: Section 2.03 (b) LV position is to keep as is
9. Dictate salary or describe salary outcome or guidelines. Commissioner part-time/full-time: 2.01

LV Talking Points:

Part-time Commissioners:

1. Citizen Representation, Not a Political Class 

• Part-time service reinforces the idea that commissioners are citizens first, not career politicians.
• When commissioners live and work in the community outside City Hall, they stay grounded in real-world consequences of policy decisions.
• This helps ensure the commission reflects the diversity of lived experience in the city—business owners, renters, retirees, parents, and workers—not just those able to make politics a full-time job.
• The City Commissioner position should be clearly defined as a part-time public service role, with compensation reflecting that status and not structured as full-time employment or salaried executive compensation.
• It should not be within the authority of the commission to redefine the office for its own benefit.

2. Prevents Professionalization of Local Politics

3. Strengthens Accountability to the Public

• Full-time positions can unintentionally turn local government into a career ladder, rather than a temporary civic duty.
• Part-time roles reduce incentives to make decisions based on job preservation, benefits, or future political ambitions.
• This preserves independence and reduces susceptibility to institutional groupthink.
• Commissioners who earn their primary income outside city government are less insulated from the effects of taxes, regulations, and service delivery.
• They experience city policies the same way residents do—as taxpayers,  customers, property owners, or employees—creating natural accountability.

4. Clarifies Roles Between Policy and Administration

• A part-time commission reinforces the proper division of labor:
• Commissioners set policy and direction
• Professional staff implement and manage operations
• This helps avoid micromanagement and protects against commissioners drifting into administrative roles that belong with city staff.

5. Encourages Focus on Core Responsibilities

• Limited time encourages commissioners to focus on high-level policy decisions,  priorities, and oversight rather than day-to-day operational detail.
• This can lead to better preparation, clearer agendas, and more disciplined  decision-making.

6. Expands Who Can Serve

• Full-time positions with modest pay can unintentionally limit service to:
• retirees,
• independently wealthy individuals, or
• those seeking political careers.
• Part-time service—especially when paired with reasonable compensation—can broaden participation and lower barriers to entry.

7. Reduces Cost and Perception of Self-Interest

• Part-time roles reduce pressure to justify higher salaries, benefits, and staff  support.
• This helps maintain public trust by reinforcing that service is about stewardship,  not personal advancement.

8. Aligns with Montana’s Tradition of Citizen Government

• Montana has a long tradition of citizen legislators and local officials who serve while maintaining careers and community ties.
• Part-time service is consistent with that cultural and historical model of governance.