Study Commission chooses Missoula firm for ballot-education services, authorizes negotiations

The Bozeman City Study Commission voted unanimously to authorize staff to negotiate an engagement with the Missoula firm identified in submissions as Dane Geld for ballot-education services. Chair Carson said the commission had received two RFP responses and asked commissioners whether they preferred to discuss them now.

Becky, a study commissioner, said she favored the Missoula proposal’s “layered approach” and that it offered scalable options depending on how much outreach the commission ultimately requests. Mike Moss, the staff lead, told commissioners he had not worked with either firm previously but said the Missoula firm’s tiered pricing model appeared to fit the commission’s needs. "The more modular approach of Dane Geld was my preferred option," a commissioner said during discussion.

Jan noted that consultants had priced scenarios using turnout from the 2025 municipal election and raised a question about whether higher turnout in the 2026 general election would change costs. Mike Moss said the firms had used illustrative tiers tied to either 2025 turnout or to total registered voters in Bozeman, and that final scope and pricing would be negotiable.

Commissioner Becky moved to approve the engagement of the Dane Geld firm and asked that staff (Mike Moss) work with the vendor to determine which tier of service—"lowest active or transformative"—the commission wanted. Jan seconded. Chair Carson called for a vote; the motion carried 4 to 0.

The commission’s action authorized Mike Moss to begin contract negotiations; commissioners said they expect to return with a proposed scope and budget and to be mindful of remaining project funds when choosing a level of engagement. The vote was procedural and did not finalize a contract amount.

What happens next: staff will open negotiations with the selected firm and report back with a proposed scope and estimated cost for formal approval at a future meeting.