Survey shows Isla Vista voters receptive to a small utility tax; committee hears support for events, non‑police night responses and cityhood interest

Committee staff presented preliminary results from the district’s latest budget survey and discussed how findings could shape a ballot funding measure.

Staff said the survey — organized in three sections (perceptions, scenarios and priority rankings) and initially summarized by AI pending human review — identified housing costs, policing/public safety alternatives, environmental concerns and cleanliness among the top issues. Respondents also signaled renewed interest in cityhood and stronger student voice.

"More community events is like a huge thing people want," a staff presenter said, summarizing open responses.

On specific program priorities, respondents ranked non‑police responses to late‑night issues, Soultopia (an established community festival), mobility and lighting among the top funding targets. Staff said the district ran AB tests that asked respondents how much they would support paying (both monthly and annually) and that responses clustered around a modest monthly equivalent; a roughly 4% utility user tax — about $4 a month for many residents — showed plausible support and estimated revenue of roughly $800,000 a year in the staff model.

Preliminary ballot testing indicated about 68% 'yes' to a funding measure in the quick sample, a level staff noted exceeds the two‑thirds threshold needed for passage, though staff cautioned the sample and question wording remain preliminary and require more outreach and clearer factual ballot language.

Staff read a sample draft of ballot language describing residential rate changes and low‑income exemptions and said final language and whether to include businesses on the tax would be discussed at the board retreat.

Committee members emphasized careful voter information and communications, and staff said they would return with the full survey results and raw responses for committee review before any final decision about placing a measure on the ballot.