Senate hears update on lagoon lights and cameras, tax on I.V. ballot

UC Santa Barbara representatives presented the lagoon lighting and camera path project design proposal to the 77th Associated Students Senate at its Oct. 14 meeting.

The mock-up shows dozens of lights planned to be installed on the west side of the lagoon near Manzanita Village, with two cameras set on the ends of the path closest to the oceanside of the lagoon. 

The project is a part of a continued effort to address student safety — especially at the Campus Lagoon which has been a high-crime location for several decades. 

External reports

The Director of Capital & Physical Planning, Josh Rohmer, explained that once the design proposal is submitted to the California Coastal Commission, it will be under review for four to six months. 

Regarding the proposed security cameras, University Police Department (UCPD) Chief Matthew Bly stated that there are policies for how UCPD can use them.     

“We built out some updated policies last year when it comes to security cameras and how those cameras are used by UCPD as far as not enforcing things like minor alcohol violations and minor drug violations,” Bly said. “This will be more of a deterrent and investigatory tool should we have a significant crime against a person occur on that area of our campus, specifically the area of the lagoon or lagoon island.” 

On Oct. 19, 2025 an attempted sexual assault occured at the lagoon, which set these safety measures in motion. With student mobilization, UCSB was granted a temporary permit to construct lights and cameras while students continued to work toward a permanent solution. 

Public forum

During public forum, Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) President Katherine Carmichael requested support from the Senate for a new tax — Measure E2026 — that will be on the ballot for I.V. residents in November.

If approved, Measure E2026 would impose a 6% utility tax on trash, water, electricity and sewage and a 7% tax on methane. The tax would affect students living in off-campus housing within I.V. According to the IVCSD website, the tax’s estimated revenue of $1.2 million per year would go toward “local improvements and services.”

“So importantly, these funds will be locally controlled only to be spent locally,” Carmichael said. “The county, the state [and] the federal government can’t touch any of this money. Time and time again, we have witnessed that we can’t wait for outside agencies to prioritize Isla Vista.” 

Carmichael stated that the goal of the tax is to prioritize measurable “on-the-ground results,” which will indirectly support their effort toward cityhood.

Later in the meeting, Senator and second-year physics major Alec GeoSimonian introduced a resolution endorsing Measure E2026. Some senators questioned whether the association should voice support for a tax that would raise costs for students.

A statement from Senator and fourth-year statistics and data science major Atticus Gonzalez — who was not at the meeting at the time — was read aloud and raised concerns over affordability and accountability. 

In the statement, Gonzalez argued that students who pay their own utilities would face higher bills. 

“Given how expensive Isla Vista already is, I am concerned about the financial burden this could place on students,” Gonzalez’s statement read.

Gonzalez also questioned the lack of specific targets and deadlines for the proposed improvements the tax would cover.

“I think we should understand exactly how the money will be allocated and measurable improvements residents can expect before endorsing the measure,” Gonzalez’s statement read. 

Other senators shared concerns over the association’s role in endorsing a ballot measure without gathering student input. Even so, Senator and second-year communication major Jake Horvitz emphasized that the Senate was voted into their positions by the student body and they have a responsibility to take a stance. 

However, Senator and third-year computer science and sociology double major Kyara Vivanco Cortes highlighted the low voter turnout at last year’s election. 

“If you look at how many people actually voted for us, I don’t think we necessarily represent the entire school’s population, which is why I think it would be so crucial that we at least get research done on [the tax] before we choose to take a stance or not,” Cortes said.

The Senate ultimately referred the resolution to the Advocacy Committee for further deliberation. 

Proposed and passed legislation

The Senate passed two bills updating the Black Womyn’s Health Collaborative (BWHC) and Isla Vista Tenants Union (IVTU) legal codes. The BWHC bill updated their name and board positions, and the IVTU bill added an additional position.  

 The Senate also passed a bill establishing an Alumni & Donors Relations Committee under the Office of the President. The committee aims to strengthen connections between A.S. and alumni, providing opportunities for networking and fundraising. 

A bill updating the hiring process for A.S. department chairs was introduced and referred to the Liaison Committee.

During financial allocations, the Senate approved $7,500 for A.S. Student Staff and $16,300 to support the Isla Vista Farmers Market’s events throughout the year. The senate also approved $13,700 to the Finance Committee as additional funding. 

All financial allocations came from the Senate Unallocated account.