Affordable Housing
The housing crisis in Bozeman is far from solved, but we’ve made progress in Bozeman in the last few years. We know supply is important, but supply alone will not solve this crisis. Ensuring that developments meet the needs of our community has been and will continue to be a top priority. We can create a housing ecosystem that serves all of us by zoning for missing-middle housing, working with housing trusts, fully funding transitional and emergency housing, and bolstering tenant’s rights.
Public Transportation
Providing opportunities for residents to access public and multimodal transportation options is an essential part of growing responsibly as a community. Every Bozemanite has a right to commute how they choose, whether that be by foot, bike, car, or bus. Investing in multiple methods to move through our community is one of the only ways we can effectively take cars off the road and reduce traffic congestion in our city.
Climate & Environment
Our waters, mountains, and natural landscapes are a central reason that the Gallatin Valley is such a desirable place to live. It’s not just about us humans though — this valley is a critical connector between the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the rest of Montana. We honor this land when we minimize water-consumptive lawns in new development, employ smart and efficient land use polices, and bolster protections for waterways, wetlands, and key migration corridors. Sprawling county subdivisions utilize private wells and septic systems. They increase traffic and commute distances and are a risk to these resources for the entire valley. When we develop in our city, we maintain some of the highest standards for water quality in the state of Montana.
Representative Government
Our community is rich in expertise and lived experience. Previously, I served on the Sustainability Board at the city, and I can feel the loss of citizen expertise and input that comes through our citizen advisory boards. Revitalizing these boards is a top priority for me. We know that the decisions made in city hall are better and stronger when our boards have had a chance to dive into them first.
Safety & Belonging
Our community will only maintain its vibrant and connected nature if we can provide a place, safety, and opportunity for everyone. If we leave people behind, we all lose. This needs to be a core ethos throughout our decision-making as a commission and as a community, whether it be in our housing conversations, economic vitality, public safety, and our future. The vibrancy and future of our community depends on harnessing our differences to make us stronger.