EBS STAFF
Every 10 years, the Montana Constitution requires that each city and county government ask voters to determine if they’d like to review local government. According to a release from Gallatin County, the last time the county voted to review local government was in 1994.
In June 2024, voters can choose if they’d like to “establish and fund a study commission to examine Gallatin County government and make recommendations for changes,” according to a release from Gallatin County.
The move comes after a Tuesday, Jan. 30 vote by Gallatin County commissioners to place the question on the ballot.
“If voters agree to establish and fund a study commission, seven citizens will be elected in a nonpartisan election in November to serve,” the release stated. The citizens will study existing forms, public services and compare with other forms of government possible in Montana.
“This opportunity afforded by our state constitution is the only chance we as citizens get to take a hard look at the way our local governments operate,” Gallatin County Commissioner Scott MacFarlane stated in the release. “Everyone agrees that Gallatin County has many new and different challenges than we had decades ago, and perhaps the tools we use to address those challenges could use an update.”
Residents of Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks and West Yellowstone will be able to vote on the topic twice, for the county and for their respective city or town.
