Isla Vista board interviews four candidates, appoints Annabelle to vacant seat

The Isla Vista Community Services District Board of Directors interviewed four applicants for a vacant seat and voted to appoint Annabelle (last name not specified in the transcript) to serve the remainder of a two‑year term ending November 2026.

Board members heard opening statements and answers to standard questions from candidates Sarah Nicholson, Esteban (last name given as Saliz in the record), Garrett Carlson (referred to in parts of the record as Eric), and Annabelle, then deliberated and made a selection by majority vote.

The board convened the interviews after opening formalities and public comment. Sarah Nicholson introduced herself as a third‑year University of California, Santa Barbara student and environmental studies major, saying, “I am motivated in increasing safety in Isla Vista, and focusing on community engagement.” Esteban, who described a long record of local volunteer and recycling work dating to the 1990s, told the board he wanted to continue sustainability and public‑safety projects and recalled helping secure grants and infrastructure for past student recycling programs. Garrett Carlson said he serves in Associated Students and works on legal code review there; he described himself as “a big believer in renewable technology” and emphasized a data‑driven approach to policy. Annabelle said she is a second‑year anthropology and global studies student at UC San Diego and described prior civic‑engagement work, including voter registration and youth councils.

Candidates were asked the same set of questions: why they wanted the seat, how they would obtain missing information before a decision, how they would collect community feedback, and what success in the role would look like after a year. Responses emphasized outreach and canvassing, patience and research before major votes, and sustainability and safety projects. Sarah said she would “talk to as many people as possible” and research the issue; Esteban said the board should seek data from information originators and consider federal, state and local legal boundaries; Garrett emphasized taking time to gather multiple sources and to broaden outreach channels; Annabelle said she would follow the board’s chain of command and outsource technical expertise when needed.

During deliberations, directors shared their preliminary rankings of the candidates, citing different priorities: community history and long‑term local involvement, student representation and demonstrated outreach experience. The board used a ranked‑choice style preliminary process and then held a formal voice vote. After several directors voiced support for Annabelle as their first choice, a motion was made to appoint her; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The presiding member announced the motion passed by voice; no roll‑call division of the final vote appears in the record. The board chair then congratulated the appointee and encouraged the other applicants to remain involved in community work.

On term and availability, Annabelle said she could serve through November 2026. Sarah Nicholson told the board she plans to graduate in June 2026 and could not commit beyond the following summer. Esteban and Garrett/"Eric" both stated they could serve through the November 2026 appointment deadline.

Board business concluded with scheduling items: the next board meeting was set for Tuesday, February 11 at 6 p.m. (hybrid/Zoom and the community room at 970 Embarcadero Del Mar), and a board retreat was discussed for March 1. The meeting adjourned after the appointment and routine confirmations.

Votes and formal action

- Appointment of board member: Motion to appoint Annabelle (last name not specified in the transcript) to the vacant Isla Vista Community Services District board seat (term to November 2026). Motion seconded. Outcome: approved by voice vote (motion passed). The record shows a majority of board members had indicated the appointee as their first choice during deliberations; the formal final tally is recorded as the motion passing by voice vote in the minutes.

Why it matters

The appointment fills a locally significant vacancy on the district board, which manages community services and neighborhood projects in Isla Vista. Board membership affects outreach, safety, parking, sustainability projects and the district’s relationships with UCSB and county agencies. The directors emphasized the need for members with community ties, outreach skills and a willingness to collaborate with staff and regional agencies.

Sources: meeting transcript of Isla Vista Community Services District board interviews and appointment, recorded public session.