The next push will be for fundraising for the county application.

With more than the required signatures on a petition to explore La Jolla’s incorporation as a city, the Association for the City of La Jolla is moving forward.

La Jolla is currently a community within the city of San Diego, beholden to San Diego’s laws and policies. No other community in the region has been successful at detachment from a larger city, but the ACLJ believes it is viable.

Before being able to apply to the San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission, which helps communities incorporate, ACLJ had to gather 6,536 signatures, 25 percent of La Jolla’s registered voters, showing support for the application.

With a Dec 1 deadline looming, ACLJ asked for signatures at pop-up events, La Jolla occasions and other wide-reaching efforts, the organization has collected more than 7,000, with signatures still coming in. 

“The community really rallied,” ACLJ member Sharon Wampler said, adding the massive effort was “super inspiring.”

Praising the “great community response,” ACLJ member Mark Muñoz encouraged people with signature pages to still turn them in, as the signatures have to be verified and the buffer will assist the effort.

“We’ll be celebrating in January,” ACLJ President Trace Wilson said, adding there will be an event to thank the volunteers.

ACLJ is now turning to fundraising. In addition to the petition and a previously completed primary fiscal analysis showing La Jolla’s viability as its own city, the LAFCO application, due Jan 30, will require about $150,000 to $200,000 in donations.

ACLJ is starting a widespread, “grassroots community fundraising” effort, Wampler said. 

Anyone wishing to donate can visit the website at cityoflajolla.org or contact info@cityoflajolla.org.

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