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Study commission votes to remove Bozeman’s deputy-mayor provision
Summary
The Bozeman City Study Commission voted 4–1 Jan. 28 to remove the charter’s deputy-mayor provision and directed staff to draft language establishing a mayor pro tem and transition rules; the city attorney warned that final charter changes require meaningful public notice under Montana law.
The Bozeman City Study Commission voted 4–1 on Jan. 28 to remove a unique provision in the city charter that currently has newly elected officials serve two years as deputy mayor before serving two years as mayor.
The commission’s motion, moved by Becky (Study Commission member) and seconded by Barb, directs the drafting team to delete the deputy-mayor clause and write a process for appointing a mayor pro tem to lead meetings and assume duties if a mayor becomes incapacitated or leaves office. Commission members emphasized this action is a drafting directive that will return for public review and further votes before any final charter change.
“In Montana we are the only city that does that; it’s confusing,” Becky said during the meeting, urging the commission to simplify the process and draft transition language. Several commissioners agreed that the deputy-mayor practice “has run its course” and that a clear succession plan is needed to cover short-term absences and longer-term vacancies.
City Attorney Greg Sullivan cautioned that while the commission can discuss preliminary changes, Montana constitutional principles require adequate notice and meaningful public participation before a final decision. “Anything that you are doing right now are preliminary to keep the process moving forward,” Sullivan said, adding that the commission should ensure its agenda framing supports a good-faith argument that the discussion fits the posted item.
The motion carried 4–1. Commissioners said they want draft charter language to return for public comment and additional review, and they instructed the drafting pair (Becky and Barb) to prepare marked-up and clean copies for the next meeting cycle. The commission expects a tentative draft of the full charter by May 18, with additional opportunities for public input before any final vote.
Next steps: staff and the drafting team will produce proposed charter language deleting the deputy-mayor clause and adding a mayor pro tem process; the commission will notice that draft for public comment and schedule follow-up votes later in the study timeline.
