The Ballot Initiative

The Bozeman Water Adequacy Ballot Initiative is the first of its kind to tackle both water availability and affordable housing in one issue. It amends the Bozeman Municipal Code (BMC) to allow developers to provide cash-in-lieu of water rights (CILWR) only if they commit to designating 33% of new dwelling units as affordable. The affordable dwelling units are available to renters making 60% or less of Bozeman’s area median income (AMI) or available for sale to purchasers making 120% or less. This initiative will address Bozeman’s high use of cash-in-lieu that allows developers to use Bozeman water without supplying new water to the city’s supply as well as the city’s lack of affordable housing.

See the full initiative below