In 2018, the People of the Isla Vista Community Services District approved Resolution No. 18-1A ("Measure R”), which approved and implemented an 8% utility user tax on the utilities of gas, water, electricity, sewer, and garbage disposal services in the District. Measure R restricted the use of the UUT funds to certain District services and programs, including funding local improvements to parking, public safety, lighting, and sidewalks; provide tenant mediation services; create a municipal advisory council; and operate community facilities and events.

The passage of Measure R has allowed the District to expand its services and implement some community programs based upon its limited funding. However, the full breadth of services that could be delivered to the residents of the District cannot be realized without additional funding, generated on a consistent and predictable basis, by an additional voter-approved utility user tax, including but not limited to funding local improvements to housing services; community based public safety; transportation, parking, and public transit; clean and safe public spaces, including lighting and sidewalks; and community facilities and events.

Measure E is now proposed as a local ballot measure that Isla Vista voters will decide on November 3, 2026. It proposes a Utility Users Tax to fund infrastructure and community services in Isla Vista. If approved, the tax is projected to raise about $1.2 million per year, and the funds would stay under local control through the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD). The measure is officially titled the Increased Municipal Infrastructure and Services Measure. Measure E is in addition to Measure R which was approved by the voters in 2018.

Isla Vista is a vibrant, close-knit oceanside community in Santa Barbara County, renowned for its youthful energy and adventurous residents. The Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) was established in 2017 (pursuant to Government Code § 61250), following decades of local efforts toward self-governance. As an unincorporated community, IVCSD is the first local government body dedicated to addressing the unique needs of its residents.

The IVCSD oversees a diverse range of programs and services designed to enhance quality of life in Isla Vista, including public safety initiatives, a rental housing mediation program, community beautification efforts, sustainability initiatives, community events, community resource advocacy, civic leadership opportunities, and more. The District’s budget reflects its commitment to these critical services and ongoing community development.

The IVCSD team consists of dedicated staff supported by a network of contractors and community partners that work together  to foster a connected, sustainable, and thriving Isla Vista.

The IVCSD Board of Directors placed Measure E on the ballot through a resolution adopted on June 23, 2026. The Board of Directors is elected by Isla Vista voters. Placing the measure on the ballot lets residents make the final decision on whether to approve the tax.

Measure E would fund local improvements and services in five areas:

• Housing services
• Community based public safety
• Transportation, parking, and public transit
• Clean and safe public spaces, including lighting and sidewalks
• Community facilities and events

Specific priorities the District has identified include Isla Vista resident parking permits, fully lighting Isla Vista at night, completing the sidewalk network, supporting local businesses along the Loop, growing bus and transit service, continuing the Soltopia music event, and supporting the Isla Vista cityhood effort. All revenue would remain under local control.

Community based public safety is one of the areas Measure E would fund. One priority the District has identified through community surveying is an unarmed response to non-violent incidents on Friday and Saturday nights, listed alongside other public safety and lighting improvements. Final spending decisions would be made by the elected IVCSD Board of Directors at public meetings.

Measure E would be funded through a Utility Users Tax, which is a percentage added to certain utility bills. The proposed rate is 6% on trash, water, electricity, and sewer service, and 7% on natural gas. The tax would apply to utility service within the Isla Vista Community Services District boundaries.

Measure E would apply to five utilities: trash, water, electricity, sewer, and natural gas. The tax will not apply to any utilities provided by telecommunications providers.  

Measure E is projected to raise about $1.2 million per year. This revenue would be controlled locally by the Isla Vista Community Services District and dedicated to the infrastructure and service areas described in the measure.

If Measure E passes, a percentage would be added to the covered portions of your utility bills: 6% on trash, water, electricity, and sewer, and 7% on natural gas. The exact dollar amount depends on how much of each utility a household uses, so it varies from resident to resident. 

Measure E allows for exemptions, including provisions for low-income residents. The specific eligibility rules and application process would be set by the IVCSD Board of Directors at a public meeting. Residents who want to know whether they qualify can check the IVCSD website for updates or contact the District office.

The election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registered Isla Vista voters will receive a ballot by mail. Check with the Santa Barbara County Elections office for registration deadlines, drop-off locations, and voting details.

Only voters who are registered within the Isla Vista Community Services District boundaries can vote on Measure E. If you live in Isla Vista and are registered to vote at your Isla Vista address, you are eligible. You can confirm or update your registration through the Santa Barbara County Elections office. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming election is October 19, 2026. 

Measure E needs approval from two-thirds of the voters who cast a ballot on it, which is about 66.7% (described as 66% plus one). This two-thirds threshold applies because the measure is a special tax with revenue dedicated to specific purposes.

If Measure E passes, the Utility Users Tax takes effect and the Isla Vista Community Services District receives an estimated $1.2 million per year for the services and improvements described in the measure. If Measure E does not pass, the tax is not created and the District would continue operating with its existing funding sources. In either case, IVCSD continues to exist and provide its current services.

The complete text of Measure E, an impartial analysis, and the official arguments for and against appear in the Santa Barbara County Sample Ballot and Voter Information Pamphlet mailed to registered voters, and on the Santa Barbara County Elections website. IVCSD provides this FAQ for general information only and encourages voters to review the official ballot materials before deciding.

You can reach the Isla Vista Community Services District through its website at islavistacsd.ca.gov, where you can find contact information, meeting schedules, and updates about Measure E. IVCSD Board meetings are open to the public, and residents are welcome to ask questions there.