A local community will soon determine whether it should be self-governed.
Isla Vista will vote in November on its Community Services District status.
An assembly bill that goes into effect Friday is helping facilitate that process. Local Assemblymember Das Williams (D- Carpinteria) authored the legislation and said the people of Isla Vista have tried to form a CSD several times.
"LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) has not allowed Isla Vistans, even when there was an overwhelming majority of them wanting some form of local government, has not allowed a local government to come to a vote," said Williams. "I just felt like that isn't really the spirit of local control. To me, the spirit of local control is ultimately that people are in charge of their own community"
William's AB 3 requires a vote to take place. He said, as a CSD, Isla Vista would be able to assess itself and fund public safety, parking regulations and other services as needed.
Isla Vista is currently both an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Santa Barbara County.
