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Isla Vista board approves 3.4% staff cost-of-living adjustment; debates outreach hire and community center capital
Summary
Directors approved a 3.4% cost-of-living adjustment for staff (estimated $30,000) and spent much of the meeting debating FY26/27 priorities — whether to fund a half- or full‑time outreach coordinator (estimated $70,000–$100,000) or instead spend reserves on one-time capital upgrades such as a $50,000 AV/stage package.
The Isla Vista Community Services District board approved a 3.4% cost-of-living adjustment for staff for fiscal year 2026–27 after a finance committee recommendation that estimated the increase would cost about $30,000.
Board members framed the move as both affordable and necessary amid high local housing costs. A committee representative noted that employees also face a roughly 14% projected rise in health-insurance premiums beginning in January, which the district pays on behalf of full‑time staff; at one point staff described full‑time insurance costs as approximately $20,000 per employee.
Much of the budget discussion that followed focused on trade-offs. Staff presented a zero‑based budget showing items recommended for funding (below the black line) and a separate wish list (above the line). The largest one-time proposals included a $50,000 speaker/light/stage package to support community events and Soultopia, and a $30,000 kitchen upgrade. The board debated whether to use reserves (approximately $1.8 million reported in the meeting) for one-time capital projects or prioritize recurring personnel spending, including hiring an outreach coordinator at either half time (about $70,000) or full time (about $100,000).
Board members said personnel should generally be prioritized because staff capacity can unlock grant or matching funds for larger capital projects; others stressed the value of capital upgrades for events and revenue generation. The finance committee will reconvene to finalize a balanced budget recommendation; staff said the current draft could show a roughly $100,000 gap until revenue or new tax measures are resolved.
Next steps: Finance committee will finalize budget recommendations at a follow-up meeting; the board flagged the possibility of using reserves for capital projects while avoiding structural deficit spending on recurring personnel costs unless permanently funded.
