The Bulletin - April 1-5
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Election Season is Around the Corner - Get Election Ready Today!
Exciting times are ahead in Gallatin County with the upcoming elections! Mark your calendars: the school and special district election is May 7, followed by the federal primary election on June 4.
But why wait? Let’s get election ready today! Whether you need to register to vote or update your registration, now’s the perfect time to get it done.
Here’s how:
- Print and fill out the voter registration application form.
- Don’t forget to physically sign with a pen! *Digital signatures are not accepted.*
- Return your completed form in one of three easy ways:
- Email: scan or take a picture of your completed application and email it to gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov.
- Mail: send the completed form to:
Gallatin County Elections
311 W. Main St., room 210
Bozeman, MT 59715 - In person: Swing by our elections office. We’ve got forms ready for you to fill out on-site!
You can always check your registration status at www.MyVoterPageMT.com.
Questions? We’re here to help! Reach out to our office at 406-582-3060 or gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov. Let’s ensure you’re all set for these elections!
Gallatin County Fairgrounds Opens Public Survey
The Gallatin County Fairgrounds is excited to announce the next step in the ‘Fairgrounds Future’ Master Planning process with the opening of the online public sentiment survey. This is the second part of the initial public engagement for this large-scale project that began with focus groups and an open house at the fairgrounds in late February/early March of this year.
The fairgrounds asks that people limit survey responses to one per person, but to please share the link widely to anyone who would like to offer feedback and be a part of this exciting process. The survey will be online at GallatinCountyFairgrounds.com or using this link until April 29.
The purpose of the ‘Fairgrounds Future’ Master Planning Project is to update the fairgrounds facility so that it can better serve the community of Gallatin County year-round. “There are so many wonderful memories that have been made on these grounds,” said Caitlin Quisenberry, Fairgrounds Director, “but many of the buildings on site are in a state of disrepair or too small to be able to fully serve the population of user groups anymore.”
The feedback from this survey will be used to guide the vision for future improvements and development on the fairgrounds property, located in northeast Bozeman. “At the end of this project, we’ll see some new and improved spaces that honor our current users and community while also welcoming some new ones. This survey will be helpful in understanding how best to do that,” said Quisenberry.
The Gallatin County Fairgrounds is a department of the Gallatin County Government and hosts the annual Big Sky Country State Fair in July. This project is not related to the annual fair or its programming, but rather the year-round facilities and their users. The fair will continue to be hosted at the fairgrounds every year, but it might see some impacts from this project during the different phases on construction.
More Opportunities to Weigh in the Future Land Use Map and Housing Strategy Projects!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Future Land Use Map and Housing Strategy public meetings the last two weeks! Whether you came to one of our four events around Gallatin County or you took part in our virtual meeting, we appreciate all the time, effort, and great thoughts and ideas you shared with us!
If you weren’t able to make it, or did but have something more to add, you can still share feedback to inform the next phase through April 14:
- Commenting is live on the Existing Land Use Profile Story Map.
- The Housing and FLUM suitability survey is also live!
You can also provide feedback any time by visiting our main project website at www.envisiongallatin.com or emailing envision@gallatin.mt.gov.
Health Department Seeking Focus Group Participants
Join the Gallatin City-County Health Department for a focus group!
They'd love to hear your insights, thoughts, and experiences on how the cost of living and housing availability has an impact on your health. The Gallatin City-County Health Department will be conducting three focus groups as part of their Community Health Assessment.
- Participants must be Gallatin County residents, 18 years or older
- Groups will be limited to 16 participants
For more information and to register for one of the focus groups, visit our website!
Free Wellness Class Starts in April!
Join the Gallatin City-County Health Department for the next SAIL (Stay Active & Independent for Life) class starting in April!
Starting April 16, this class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 PM at the Belgrade Senior Center.
SAIL is a FREE 12-week fall prevention fitness program designed for older adults and focuses on strength, balance, and mobility. To sign up, email hs@gallatin.mt.gov or call 406-582-3100.
Visit our website for more information and other FREE wellness classes.
Hyalite Canyon Road Seasonal Closure to Motorized Used
From Custer Gallatin National Forest:
Hyalite Canyon Road is closed to motorized traffic annually from April 1 through May 15.
During this time, the snowpack melts and saturates the subgrade of the road, making it difficult for the material to support repeated motorized traffic. To avoid road damage like surface cracking and potholes, a motorized during the transition between winter and spring.
The spring road closure still allows non-motorized recreation through the corridor but without the usual traffic.
Forum Will Examine Ballot Question Seeking to Review County, City Government Structures
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Montana State University will host a virtual Friday Forum on April 12, focused on the upcoming ballot to reconsider current forms of city and county government. “Is a New City and County Government Structure Needed for Our Growing Community?” will be held via Zoom from noon to 1:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The Montana Constitution requires local governments to ask their citizens to review local government structures every 10 years to decide if the existing form of government meets that community’s needs. Election Day is Tuesday, June 4. Absentee voters will receive their ballots in the mail in May, and polling places will be open for in-person voting on Election Day.
At the Friday Forum, Ashley Kent, Associate Director at the Local Government Center at MSU, will discuss a brief history of this feature in the Montana Constitution and reasons why some communities take advantage of this Constitutional opportunity. Forum participants are encouraged to submit questions and comments in advance via Zoom registration.
OLLI at MSU Friday Forums occur the second Friday of the month from September through May. Participants must register before 11 a.m. Friday, April 12. For more information or to register, visit https://www.montana.edu/olli/offerings or call 406-994-6646. Participants will receive an email from Zoom with a link and login instructions ahead of the event.
OLLI at MSU is a program of Academic Technology and Outreach. ATO works across the university to support and advance its land-grant mission through unique and innovative opportunities for outreach and engagement.
Property Tax Relief Deadline Reminders for Homeowners
The following deadlines for Montana Department of Revenue programs are coming up in April.
• April 15 is the deadline for real property and mobile homeowners to apply for the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP). Eligibility for this program is based on home ownership, occupancy requirements, and income qualifications. Legislative changes to the program for Tax Year 2024 include higher qualifying income levels and an increase in the amount of property market value eligible for the tax assistance from $200,000 to $350,000. More info here.
• April 15 is the deadline for 100% disabled Montana veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses to apply for the Montana Disabled Veterans (MDV) Property Tax Assistance Program. Eligibility for reduced property taxes is based on home ownership, occupancy, military disability requirements, and income qualifications. Similar to PTAP for Tax Year 2024, the MDV program has higher qualifying income levels. More info here.
Gallatin Canyon Pavement Preservation and Safety Improvements Update
The following is from the Montana Department of Transportation:
Work has begun on the Gallatin Canyon Pavement Preservation and Safety Improvements project. Here’s what to expect for the week of April 1.
Traffic on US Highway 191 (US 191) north of Gallatin Gateway will be rerouted to the detour this week while bridge replacement work begins. CK May Excavating crews will be on site Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Impacts will be minimal once traffic is shifted to the detour. Drivers can expect speeds of 35 miles per hour through the work zone.
If you have questions, please email Kristine at Kristine@bigskypublicrelations.com. Our project hotline is also open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 406-207-4484. Visit our project webpage at https://mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/gallatincanyon/.
Featured County Job Posting: Fairgrounds Sponsorship and Event Coordinator
Each week, we will feature one of our current job openings at Gallatin County! You can find this position and many more here.
The Gallatin County Fairgrounds is looking for a sponsorship and event coordinator to join their amazing team!
This position this works to connect the public with information about rentable Fairgrounds facilities as well as opportunities to invest in the Fairgrounds through sponsorships. This position will be responsible for communicating the city ordinances, County, and Fairgrounds policies that lessees and sponsors must follow. Additionally, they will recommend ways to increase revenue from rentals and sponsorships while generating reports to track revenue from rentals and sponsorships.
The job comes with incredible benefits like health, dental and medical, as well as paid parental leave, tuition assistance, and more!
You can see the full job posting here.
Gallatin County In The News
County voters to decide on potential local government study
Amended tax bills sent to Gallatin Co. property owners
Wrong-way driving incidents persist on stretch of I-90 in Gallatin County
Taking Account of Gallatin County - Officials Seek Public Input to Inform Future Land Use Map and Housing Strategy
Gallatin City-County Health Dept. to study impact of housing costs on health
County commission denies Gallatin Gateway zoning petition
Gallatin Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization Committee holds 1st meeting
Gallatin County, Bozeman to create board to distribute opioid settlement funds from state
Upcoming Commission Meetings
The following meetings of the Gallatin County Commission are quorum meetings. Click on the meeting name for agendas, meeting locations, and virtual attendance options. You can see the full calendar here. Please note the calendar is subject to change. For questions on any upcoming meetings, email commission@gallatin.mt.gov or call 406-582-3000.
Tuesday, April 2
- Public Meeting - 9 AM
Wednesday, April 3
- Administrator Update - 8:30 AM
Monday, April 8
- Work Session - 8:30 AM
- Roads Monthly - 10:30 AM
- County Attorney Meeting - 2 PM
Planning and Community Development
What's New & Happening Now - Check out this page for the latest information on subdivisions under review, planning meeting agendas, buildings for lease or rent applications, and other large projects across the county.
Upcoming Planning and Community Development Meetings
You can see the full calendar here. Please note the calendar is subject to change.
Wednesday, April 3
- Hebgen Lake Zoning Advisory Committee - 10:30 AMMonday, April 8
- Open Lands Board - 6 PM
