Ethics Review Sparks Controversy Over Mayor’s Tourism App in Solvang

The ongoing dispute regarding a tourism app owned by the mayor of Solvang, a town with a distinct Danish theme in California, has intensified, leading to an ethics review and fresh allegations of conflicts of interest at City Hall.

This controversy revolves around the Solvang Passport, an app designed to promote selected businesses and attractions in Santa Barbara County. This region is often referred to as the “Danish Capital of America.”

Some council members express concerns that the mayor’s involvement could pose ethical dilemmas for a town whose economy significantly depends on tourism.

Conversely, supporters of the app argue that it merely aims to draw visitors and bolster local businesses, as reported by various sources.

Earlier this week, the Solvang City Council took action, voting 4-1 to tighten ethics regulations for elected officials.

The revised policy includes a formal procedure for council members to investigate and sanction one another for alleged breaches of ethics.

“This will enhance accountability among the City Council and staff,” remarked Councilwoman Elizabeth Orona prior to the vote.

The app is intended to make visits to Solvang more engaging by encouraging tourists to collect digital passport stamps at local shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Currently, businesses utilizing the platform are charged $249 monthly, although Brown indicated it remains free for the time being.

He also mentioned the potential for the app to be expanded to other tourist destinations in the future.

A point of contention was the app’s initial plan to limit participation to around 100 businesses, which raised alarms among some local merchants about unequal opportunities.

However, the mayor has suggested that this limitation could be revisited.

Earlier this year, Robert Hargreaves, the owner of the Solvang Skate Shop, raised questions during a council meeting, sharing that he had only just learned about the app’s existence.

Brown later acknowledged his role in the initiative, which operates under his company, G3 Acuity.

Critics on the council argue that the app could create a conflict of interest, given that the mayor runs a private tourism business while serving in a role vital to the city’s tourist-driven economy.

Tourism contributes over $9 million each year in hotel and sales taxes to Solvang, with plans to allocate approximately $1.1 million for tourism marketing and visitor initiatives next year.

Concerns initially revolved around the app’s use of city-produced tourism material but have since expanded to whether a sitting mayor should run a business targeting the same audience as the city’s public-funded marketing efforts.

In response to the backlash, Brown has removed city-related content from the app, added a disclaimer stating it is not associated with the city, and is contemplating stepping away from direct management of the platform or possibly licensing it to another firm.

This controversy has led to the City Council’s approval of stricter ethics guidelines, which include enhanced financial disclosure requirements and formalized procedures for investigating suspected ethical violations.

Brown has pushed back against these changes, arguing they could trigger investigations based on mere suspicion, potentially targeting political opponents.