Bozeman City Commission

As the population rises in Bozeman, so does tension surrounding city politics. Often opinions on controversial topics are shared with commissioners during public comment at meetings that can last up to six hours. Now the city is adding a conversational approach to public engagement.

Changes are coming to Bozeman’s city streets, after the city commission took a preliminary vote to prohibit urban camping with increased penalties and limited exceptions.

As Bozeman’s population has more than doubled over a few decades, public safety services like police and fire have struggled to keep up. This November the city is going to voters to ask for a bump in their budgets.

Almost a year after Bozeman city commissioners passed an urban camping ordinance, commissioners will revisit the controversial policy.

Bozeman City Commission voted Tuesday July 9th to deny “The Guthrie” a proposed 111 unit five story building in midtown.

Once every ten years, Montana counties, cities and towns have the opportunity to change the structure of their local government.

Businesses in The City of Bozeman sue the City over alleged lax enforcement existing laws regarding encampments of unsheltered individuals.

In her resignation letter, I-Ho Pomeroy writes, “Three times the citizens of Bozeman placed their trust in me to try and make Bozeman a better place to live for all Bozeman residents. I have worked hard to live up to that trust.”

Federal court rulings say cities must allow people to sleep outside on public property if there is no shelter space available. But, cities can regulate the time, place and manner people may camp on public right of ways.

With more drought, a growing population and the effects of climate change, Bozeman is susceptible to water supply challenges — especially in the summer, when about half of the city's water goes to lawns and landscapes.