City of Bozeman continues work on equity, launches community survey as part of “Equity Indicators” project

Bozeman, MT—The City of Bozeman is inviting input from community members on the needs that exist in our community to ensure that all are able to thrive, no matter their race, identity, or life circumstance. A community survey has been launched as a part of the Equity Indicators Project, an effort to measure equity and access to resources in our community. The survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete and is available in English and Spanish at www.bozeman.net/equityandinclusion. The survey will be open until Friday, May 28th. 

Survey questions are focused on rating the level of need for resources, services, and opportunities to improve access to housing, transportation and public health and safety to support the needs and quality of life for all people in our community. The survey also asks respondents to provide information on their identity, including race & ethnicity, ability, and gender identity. These factors are essential in understanding how people’s identity and life circumstances relate to their needs and perceptions around equity in the Bozeman area. 

“This is a really essential step to define and quantify what equity looks like in our community,” says City Manager Jeff Mihelich, “We are excited for this opportunity to learn from the data and listen to the experiences and stories in our community around race and identity.”   

The Equity Indicators project utilizes local and national data sources as well as community input to create a set of equity indicators to inform how Bozeman can address gaps in services and access to resources in the community. These specific and trackable measurements will show the variation in outcomes and experiences between a community average and a given identity or characteristic (race, ethnicity, gender identity, physical or mental ability.) The equity indicators will be publicly available for all to see and for community partners and the City of Bozeman to use as a baseline to track progress in addressing gaps over time. 

In addition to the community survey, input is being compiled through stakeholder interviews, facilitated focus groups with local organizations and community groups, as well as through two community forums – the first being held virtually on May 26th. More information on the project and opportunities for engagement are atwww.bozeman.net/equityandinclusion