Board schedules town hall after IV Safe discussion of proposed festival‑ordinance changes tied to Deltopia
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Summary
Board members reported that IV Safe and law‑enforcement partners discussed Deltopia 2026 and a sheriff's proposal to make the festival ordinance an all‑day restriction. The district will host a town hall on Nov. 12 and the board will consider a formal position at its Nov. 18 meeting.
Board members reported on the recent IV Safe meeting where community stakeholders and public‑safety officials discussed Deltopia and potential changes to the county festival ordinance. Lieutenant Schmidt of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office proposed removing the ordinance’s 6 p.m. cutoff so restrictions would apply all day for a defined area; the sheriff’s office asked the district to take a position on the proposal.
Board members described a multi‑stakeholder IV Safe meeting with students, long‑term residents, property owners, businesses and agencies present. The board scheduled a community town hall for Nov. 12, 5–6:30 p.m., to present data and hear public comment; the board will consider a formal position at its regular meeting Nov. 18.
Directors raised concern that ordinance changes without a viable permitted alternative or sanctioned event could repeat past failures. Board members and staff said planned next steps include a smaller work group to develop options that include student participation and to identify potential alternatives to unsanctioned gatherings.
No formal vote was taken on the sheriff’s proposal at this meeting; staff framed the Nov. 12 town hall as the primary public forum for input before the board records any formal position.
