Isla Vista residents will have a chance to vote on a new tax measure for infrastructure and service improvements on Nov. 3.

The Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) Board of Directors has voted to add a utility tax measure to the November ballot that would put a 6% tax on utility bills for trash, water, electricity and sewer services, and a 7% tax on natural gas bills.

The tax measure would have to be approved by two-thirds of voters, or 66% plus one.

Rates will be the same for residential users and businesses. It would be paid by the person or entity paying for utilities. 

The tax is expected to bring the district $1.2 million in annual revenue for infrastructure and services improvements like sidewalk expansions, adding lighting, expanding the new parking program, and business support. 

Katherine Carmichael, president of the IVCSD Board of Directors, said the money will allow the district to provide more community services.

“We wanted to pursue this tax measure because the community is asking us for more,” Carmichael said. “Obviously, Isla Vista still has great needs, and there are still so many things that we want to pursue, but we are kind of at our capacity with the existing resources and structure that we have now.”

Earlier this year, IVCSD hosted the first Soltopia Music Festival after a new noise ordinance essentially killed the annual unsanctioned street party known as Deltopia.

During Soltopia, the district partnered with several local businesses to provide free food to residents. Carmichael said they want to provide more year-round support.

“We can have frequent events every weekend and be a more stable funding source for the businesses,” Carmichael said. “… You’re bringing people to a safe, fun event with the businesses. You’re getting to know your neighbor a little bit more.”

District General Manager Jonathan Abboud said the district could use the revenue to improve the Isla Vista Community Center and make it an attractive venue for musicians. He also said the money could fund additional public safety resources and potentially library services. 

The district hired the Guardian Security team to provide security during the Soltopia Festival.

With Santa Barbara County cutting Isla Vista Foot Patrol positions, Abboud said having non-police public safety is possibly something the district could offer year-round.

“… We can use security guards who are more education and harm-reduction based, and who can call in law enforcement in an emergency,” he said.

In the district’s recent budget survey, funding for non-police public safety services was ranked as the top choice residents wanted to see prioritized, followed by a residential parking permit program and mobility infrastructure improvements.

Exact funding allocations won’t be decided until later. Carmichael said the district plans to have numerous opportunities for residents to share what they want to see funded. 

“Instead of having someone else provide services or someone else in control of our budget, it can be the community,” she said.

The attempt to get more local funding comes as the district is paying for a cityhood analysis to see if the half-square-mile community can financially support itself as a city.

The study was originally expected to be completed this summer, but Abboud said the study is still in the drafting and research phase. They now expect it to be completed by December. 

“We kind of see it as the first step of cityhood,” Carmichael said. “We’re not plugging any budget deficit or anything like that, but this, of course, would put us on a lot more solid financial footing for something new like a city.”