City Government Branches
The City of Bozeman is a City Commission/City Manager form of government with an elected Municipal Judge. These three entities form the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.
City Commission
Five Commissioners, elected with no party affiliation, make up the City Commission. They are elected to four-year overlapping terms as part-time officials. Terms are staggered, and elections are held every two years. For the first time in the 2007 general election, a candidate can campaign for the position of Mayor, and if elected will assume the position of Mayor during the last two years of his or her term (previously, the Commissioner candidate who received the most votes in an election became the Mayor during the last two years of his or her term).
The City Commission establishes policies governing City operations and enacts ordinances and resolutions to amend or update the Bozeman Municipal Code. The Commission levies taxes, adopts the City's yearly budget, and appoints members to citizen advisory boards. Decisions made by the City Commission protect the health, safety, general welfare, and future well-being of the citizens of Bozeman.
City Commission meetings are held every Monday at 6 p.m. in the Community Room located on the third floor of the Gallatin County Courthouse at 311 West Main Street. Following a holiday, meetings are held on Tuesday at 6 p.m., usually in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 411 East Main.
Monday City Commission meetings are televised on cable channel 20. Reruns of the Monday City Commission meetings are aired on Wednesday and Friday at 5 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Contact Your Bozeman City Commission 2008-2009:
Mayor Kaaren Jacobson 587-5968 kjacobson@bozeman.net
Deputy Mayor/Commissioner Jeff Krauss 582-2341 jkrauss@bozeman.net
Commissioner Jeff Rupp 586-1380 jrupp@bozeman.net
Commissioner Sean Becker 581-7571 sbecker@bozeman.net
Commissioner Eric Bryson 579-2137 ebryson@bozeman.net
To email the City Commission as a group, please send your email to agenda@bozeman.net, and the City Clerk's Office will forward your email to the Commission.
Mailing Address: City Commission, P.O. Box 1230, Bozeman, MT 59771-1230
Fax: 582-2323
City Clerk's Office: 582-2321, 582-2320
The City Manager is hired by the City Commission and acts as the administrative head of city government. He provides the City Commission with information needed to make informed policy decisions and is responsible for the efficient administration of all City departments. To ensure quality services are being provided to the community, the City Manager leads, directs, coordinates and supports the City's workforce. He heads the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Public Welfare while supervising the Assistant City Manager and all department directors. The City Manager signs agreements, contracts and Memorandums of Understanding between the City, local businesses and state and federal agencies. He plans the annual budget and attends public meetings and functions. The City Manager strives to keep the public informed while encouraging citizens to become involved in their local government.
To contact the City Manager, call (406) 582-2306, or write
City Manager, P. O. Box 1230, Bozeman, MT 59771-1230
Municipal Court
The Municipal Court is comprised of the Municipal Judge, an elected official who hears cases involving violations of City ordinances and misdemeanor cases defined by state criminal codes. Municipal Court is responsible for civil and criminal violations, tax collection under $5,000 and fees due to the City under $5,000. Municipal Court works with the City Attorney's Office, the City Prosecutor and with police officers. Municipal Court endeavors to maintain a current and efficient criminal and civil docket and an efficient collection system.
Municipal Court is located at the Law and Justice Center, 615 S. 16th Ave.
Call (406) 582-2040 or write Municipal Court, P.O. Box 1230, Bozeman, MT 59771-1230.