Voting yes on Measure R is common sense for every voter in Isla Vista.
The 8 percent utility user tax would raise approximately $700,000 in funding annually for the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD), the local government formed by voters’ overwhelming support of Measure E in fall of 2016. If a utility user tax is not passed by January 2023, the CSD will automatically dissolve.
Seth Trujillo / Daily Nexus
Isla Vista self-governance and the state of affairs in I.V. have made significant strides from the days of Bank of America burning to the ground and regular rioting, yet challenges persist. The current approach of regulating Deltopia is neither sustainable nor cost effective, while both medical calls and attendance are on the rise. Forward thinking leaders must commandeer the definition of Deltopia to confront the risks posed by an increasing number of partygoers.
Aside from the public safety hazard of thousands of inebriated college students on Del Playa, residents face myriad traumatic issues daily. Sexual assault and Rape rape in I.V. warrant immediate action, yet our county sheriff recently proposed cutting the funding for the I.V. Foot Patrol Community Resource Officers. Roads and sidewalks are in disrepair and poorly lit. Parking in I.V. is a constant headache for residents without a parking space or an on-campus permit.
Proponents of Measure R and the IVCSD have worked diligently with sparingly little funding. They launched a tenant mediation program for the lease change period to ensure tenants receive a fair return of their deposit. The I.V. Community Room is a hub in the community, for IVCSD meetings, tutoring programs for local children, and available for free of charge for organizations. The IVCSD greatly expanded the UCPD Community Service Officer Program to include CSO safety stations in I.V. every Friday and Saturday night. Our local government has a proven track record of fiscal responsibility and would only continue to expand services with additional revenue.
I.V. public safety issues persist partly because of a lack of resources, and an incidental tax is the clear solution.
Meanwhile, Machiavellian landlords are spending the exorbitant amount you pay in rent on a campaign against Measure R. They erroneously call themselves the “Isla Vistans Against Higher Taxes.” None of the despots who are funding this campaign live in I.V. and would not be subject to the new tax implemented by Measure R. The multimillionaires that we are depend on for shelter just received a massive tax cut from Congressional Republicans in the form of H.R. 1. If the landlords in opposition are not financially impacted by Measure R, why are they vehemently opposed to its passage?
For those who oppose the proposed tax simply because it is a tax, consider the implications of your logic. Consider that without revenue generated by taxes, the public university that sustains you would cease to exist. Consider that every paved road you drive on takes taxes and the businesses where you shop at are subsidized by taxpayers. I.V. public safety issues persist partly because of a lack of resources, and an incidental tax is the clear solution. Eight percent of your monthly utilities is affordable, and an exemption exists for residents who qualify as low income. Voting no on Measure R is a vote against public safety in our community.
Succumbing to torpor and frustration from the sidelines does nothing for you or your community. If you do not like the direction that the your local government is taking, get out to vote and run for the IVCSD. Show up to Tuesday night meetings. The way to improve your community is not by acquiescing to your despotic landlord. Political apathy benefits those already in power, and business as usual will not suffice.
Isla Vista is a unique place with equally unique challenges. We are fortunate for local leaders on the IVCSD and on the Isla Vista Recreation and Park District who stay in I.V. well past the standard four or five years. Why should we take the passionate people who want to improve Isla Vista for granted? Register to vote before May 21st and make sure to vote yes for Measure R on June 5th. The future of Isla Vista is in your hands.
James Ferraro encourages Isla Vistans to do their civic duty and support Measure R.
This is garbage. No more taxes – there are existing taxes that already pay for these things.
In the contest of the points offered in the closing paragraphs of this article, thanks so much for your deeply reasoned counter response.
“contest” should have read “context”.
I take you like being taxed and governed and believe everything your democratically elected representatives tell you?
This is garbage. There aren’t taxes that pay for these things — didn’t you read the article?
I am a small landlord in IV. Personally, I’m rather agnostic about whether or not this passes, however if I were a resident of IV I’d be against Measure R because it’s going to probably ultimately cost them an extra $15 +/- per month per person (8% of water, trash, internet, cable, electric, gas). I feel the author of the article is misrepresenting some things and also leaving things unsaid. First of all, as far as being a “Machiavellian landlord” and having received a big tax cut under the new tax law, nothing could be further from the truth. I… Read more »
Same landlord here again. You (UCSB students) pay a lot of money to go to this school. It used to cost a whole lot less money. The number 1 reason it costs so much more now is because of the out-of-control and growing pensions of retired UCSB staff and professors. UCSB has been able to increase your tuition to cover this; and additionally, they have been monitizing their real estate holdings by building lots and lots of housing. UCSB can build at lower costs than builders in the private sector because they are not subject to the same rules (#… Read more »
Hi Again, Let’s take another look. 1. “The number 1 reason it costs so much more now is because of the out-of-control and growing pensions of retired UCSB staff and professors.” Flat out untrue. UCSB Staff and Professors’ pensions are lower comparatively lower than to that of other UC Campuses and have remained fairly static. The actual reason that tuition has skyrocketed is a lack of adequate state funding. Since 2000 the UC system has added 90,000 students to its annual undergraduate population, yet the state funding has remained flat. In 2011, tuition became the number one source of funding… Read more »
Mind the typos, and my email is jferraro(at)umail(dot)ucsb(dot)edu
So you want the CSD for sidewalks in IV? Do you like the sidewalk that just went in last summer on Sabado Tarde? Who do you think paid for that? Santa Claus? You paid for it assuming you actually live in IV. Property taxes pay for that. A portion of your rent goes to property taxes. This is not a new concept. As for UCSB the great employer. Let’s assume–just for the sake of argument that Amazon wanted to move to Santa Barbara–the city would get all wet about the taxes and roll all over accommodating them. UCSB pays no… Read more »
Hi, Small Landlord in IV, Let’s look at some of the claims you made more closely. 1. “probably ultimately cost them an extra $15 +/- per month per person” – No one is going to be paying 15 dollars extra a month because of Measure R, that is unless they are currently paying 188 dollars per person in utilities every month. (0.08×187.5=15) In a typical four-person household this looks like $750 in monthly utilities (750x.08=60, 60/4=15). No one pays that much even if they take regular long showers. Measure R is going to cost residents on average about 2 or… Read more »
All of these “services” already exist. This is a scam by AS Students to expand off Campus. UCSB is bankrolling. UCSB does not pay property taxes and will not pay the same utility tax Measure R is calling for. They want a cake and eat it too relationship with IV–always have. Rally naive dipsticks like this author to promote and then leave after four years–screwing future generations. This is Newcen except it is added to utility bill.
You–James Ferraro–are a Community Outreach Coordinator for AS Students. Why are you not identifying yourself as such? Is this irrelevant to what you are writing? Hey Nexus editor–WTF? Are you that much of a UCSB tool? Worried the Nexus lock in fee will get cut? Measure R is a UCSB scam.
Vote No on Measure R