Comprehensive Financial Study on Isla Vista Governance Options Released
Comprehensive Financial Study on Isla Vista Governance Options Released Public Presentation Wednesday, October 7 from 5:30 — 7:00 p.m.
The Fund for Santa Barbara is pleased to announce the completion of the Isla Vista Governance Options Financial Analysis Study, an independent fiscal analysis encompassing a range of governance options for the unincorporated community of Isla Vista. The study, which was completed on behalf of a diverse group of community stakeholders by Economic Planning Systems (EPS) and Berkson Associates, provides the first comprehensive look at financial viability in over a decade. The hope is that the study will provide the necessary research to help determine a clear path for Isla Vista’s future.
The Isla Vista Governance Options Financial Analysis Study results will be presented by Economic Planning Systems and Berkson Associates on Wednesday, October 7 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Santa Barbara Hillel located at 781 Embarcadero del Mar in Isla Vista. The community is invited to attend. The event location is ADA accessible and simultaneous interpretation in English/Spanish will be provided.
The study offers a thorough assessment of possible services, costs, and sources of revenue for each option, as well as existing conditions, including:
• Establishing a Community Services District (CSD), either through LAFCO, or legislated, such as AB-3 • Incorporating a new City of Isla Vista (City of IV) • Forming an Isla Vista Municipal Advisory Council (IV MAC) • Creating an Isla Vista Area Planning Commission (IVAPC)
In order to ensure the study had the benefit of multiple viewpoints and expertise, a twenty person Oversight Committee was convened, with The Fund for Santa Barbara serving as the Fiscal Sponsor and facilitator. The study was initiated in May 2015 at the request of community stakeholders and was funded by eight organizations and two individuals.
“We want to help families, students, nonprofits, and business and property owners in Isla Vista understand their options for strengthening their community. We hope the study will advance the important conversations of having a safer and healthier Isla Vista. The Oversight Committee’s work is a great model for working positively and productively together on a very complex issue,” stated Nancy G. Weiss, Associate Director at the Fund for Santa Barbara and co-convener of the study Oversight Committee.
Fiscal Sponsor/Facilitators:
Nancy G. Weiss, Associate Director, Fund for Santa Barbara & Alice O’Connor, Fund for Santa Barbara Board Member and Professor of History, UCSB
Oversight Committee Members:
Jonathan Abboud, Trustee, Area 6, SBCC and Isla Vista Resident/Renter; Esther Aguilera, District Representative, Office of 3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr, S.B. County Board of Supervisors; Dr. David Bearman, Founder, Isla Vista Medical Clinic & Board Member, Goleta West Sanitary District; Ethan Bertrand, Senator, Associated Student Government of SBCC;_Paola de la Cruz, UCSB Associated Students External Vice President of Local Affairs; Kirsten Zimmer Deshler, Director, UCSB Governmental Relations; Lanny Ebenstein, PhD, President, California Center for Public Policy; Darcell Elliott, District Director, Office of Assembly Member Das Williams; Jay Freeman, Vice President, Isla Vista Downtown Business Association; Geoff Green, CEO, Foundation for SBCC; Aaron Jones, M.A., Assistant Director for Community Affairs, Civic Engagement and Advocacy, Associated Students, UCSB; James Joyce Ill, Deputy District Director, Office of Senator Hannah Beth Jackson; Marisela Marquez, PhD, Executive Director, Associated Students, UCSB; LuAnn Miller, Executive Director, Isla Vista Youth Projects; Leonor Reyes, Director, Isla Vista Teen Center; Jeremy Roark, PhD, Psychologist, UCSB Counseling and Psychological Services; Pegeen Soutar, Long-term Isla Vista Resident & Homeowner; Frank Thompson, Vice President, Isla Vista Community Development Corporation & Board Member, Santa Barbara Student Cooperative; George Thurlow, UCSB , Associate Vice Chancellor Alumni Affairs & Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Isla Vista, and; Susan Whisenand, M.A., PhD, Long-term Isla Vista Resident & Homeowner
Study Funded by:
Lanny Ebenstein; Jay Freeman; Fund for Santa Barbara; Isla Vista Community Development Corporation; Office of 3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr, Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors; Santa Barbara City College, Office of President Lori Gaskin; Santa Barbara City College Associated Student Government; Santa Barbara City College Foundation; UCSB, Office of Chancellor Henry Yang; UCSB Associated Students, Offices of the Associated Students President & External Vice President of Local Affairs
About the Fund for Santa Barbara
THE FUND FOR SANTA BARBARA is a non-profit community foundation that supports organizations working for social, economic, environmental & political change in Santa Barbara County. This includes grassroots organizing against discrimination of all kinds, supporting the rights & dignity of working people, promoting community self-determination, organizing for peace and nonviolence, working to improve the quality of our environment, and building cross-issue/cross-constituency coalitions and alliances. THE FUND raises money through donations of all sizes in order to provide grants and technical assistance. Since its founding in 1980, THE FUND FOR SANTA BARBARA has awarded over $5 million to more than 1000 projects.