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Commission keeps city attorney and other professional posts appointed, not elected
Summary
The study commission voted 5–0 to retain professional, appointed positions such as the city legal officer in the draft charter language, citing the need for technical expertise and continuity.
The Bozeman City Study Commission voted 5–0 on Jan. 28 to keep key professional positions — including the legal officer — as appointed, not elected, roles in the draft charter.
Commissioners said public comment and comparative charter guidance supported keeping specialized roles like city attorney, police chief and treasurer as professional appointments rather than elected offices. Barb moved to retain section 4.03 (legal officer) as an appointment and the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
Supporters of the motion argued that legal advice for municipal government requires professional expertise and that making the role elective could politicize a position that must offer neutral legal counsel. “What you want is someone who knows the law and who is beholden to the entity and giving them the best advice, neutral advice possible,” one commissioner said.
The drafting team will keep the current appointed-language for the legal officer and similar positions in the recommended charter to be issued for public review.
