Despite Isla Vista’s historically powerful collective will, proper self-governance has proved remarkably elusive: campaigns for cityhood, efforts at local community governments (sans the Rec and Park District), and an attempt to join in on the incorporation of Goleta all resulted in failure.
After decades living in its county home for half a century, this half-square mile of now 23,000 people has its best shot yet at leaving the nest and living independently: Next November, Isla Vistans will take to the polls to vote on whether or not to establish a community services district (CSD), approve a utility tax to fund it, and elect its first board members.
Das Williams, who represents California’s 37th District in the State Assembly, which includes I.V., introduced AB 3 into the Legislature in an attempt to establish self-governance via state law. Throughout 2015, I.V. residents and stakeholders met numerous times to provide input and hammer out details on a wide range of both the bill’s crucial and minute components. In September, the bill passed in the Legislature, received the governor’s autograph the following month, and received unanimous support from the county supervisors earlier this month for sending off the application to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). After a procedural review set to begin next month by LAFCO, which can’t kill the district but will ultimately determine the CSD’s suite of powers and tax rate, the final push begins.