Bozeman operates under a Commission-Manager form of government. 

Characteristics of a Commissioner-Manager government are:

- City Commission oversees the general administration, makes policy and sets the budget.

- City Commission appoints a professional City Manager to carry out day-to-day administrative operations

This is the most common form of city government as it combines the strong political leadership of elected officials (the City Commission) with strong managerial experience (the City Manager). This allows for a strong representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected City Commission and where the City Commission hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public policy and services. 

For more information please see the ICMA Brochure on Council-Manager Form of Government

Duties of the City Manager:

• Serves as the City Commission's chief advisor
• Makes policy recommendations to the City Commission
• Carries out the City Commission's policies
• Recruits, hires and supervises the city staff
• Provides complete and objective information; pros and cons; alternatives; and long term consequences of policies to the City Commission and citizens

 The Mayor:

• Serves as a spokesperson for the community by soliciting citizen views and forming policy based on citizen feedback.
• Presides at City Commission meetings
• Facilitates communication and understanding between elected and appointed officials
• Assists the City Commission in setting goals and advocating policy decisions
• Serves as a promoter and defender of the community.
• Key representative in intergovernmental relations

The City Commission is the legislative body and the community's decision makers. Some of the tasks of the City Commission are as follows:

• Approves the budget and determines the tax rate
• Sets community goals and determines major projects or tasks
• Makes decisions on long term considerations such as community growth, land use development, capital improvements and financing
• Hires and supervises the City Manager

Citizen representation is key in Commission-Manager government. The system encourages open communication between citizens and their government through:

• Election of the City Commission by the citizens
• Open communication between City Commission members and citizens on issues
• Noticing of projects, open meetings and more to encourage transparency
• Opportunity for public comment

For more information on being involved as a citizen, contact the City Clerk's office at (406) 582-2321. The City has a number of citizen advisory boards, opportunities for public comment and more.