A new smartphone app with local ties invites those who download it to make Solvang their own personal “playground.”
Created by Mayor David Brown, Solvang Passport highlights dozens of businesses across the city while promoting “stamps” (QR codes) at each location for app users to seek out and scan.
The more stamps users collect through the app, the more points they rack up toward getting special rewards, including discounts or deals at some participating businesses.
To be featured on the app, a business must pay a monthly $250 fee, something that raised a red flag for Solvang City Councilmember Elizabeth Orona.
“I just want to take a moment and say why this is of concern to me in particular,” said Orona, who brought up Brown’s new app during council comments at the March 9 meeting.
“The app actually creates incentives to visit these select businesses but leaves other businesses out. And for that promotion, the mayor is asking for those businesses to pay him $250 a month—for that treatment over others,” Orona said. “That necessarily creates an area of confusion, potential confusion, for our businesses. Can our businesses be sure that the mayor is acting on the public’s behalf … ”
Solvang City Attorney Chelsea O’Sullivan interjected: “Councilmember Orona,” just before Orona finished her thought.
“ … or those who are participating in his model,” Orona said.
“I think this is getting outside the scope of what is allowed, or envisioned by council comments,” O’Sullivan told Orona. “So, if you could please give any direction to staff for what we could bring back to a future agenda to discuss this item.”
Orona then asked her peers if they would support directing staff to send Brown a cease and desist order, “to avoid a number of gray areas of potential conflict.”
“In his role as making key decisions, it will be disruptive for us,” Orona said, “as a … functioning council to have him constantly recuse himself from key decisions.”
O’Sullivan told Orona that asking the council to vote on her request was not possible that evening but that staff could bring back an agendized item on the topic.
“Staff does not police the private business entities of council members in that way, but we can look into it if directed by the majority of the council,” O’Sullivan said.
Councilmember Louise Smith then motioned for staff to take that route. It passed 3-1 with Councilmember Claudia Orona dissenting, while Mayor Brown recused himself from voting.
“Because it’s been brought up, in reference to the business, … it’s a game. It’s a tourist game,” Brown said of his app. “Anybody’s welcome to download it and see what they think of it, but I’ve been transparent as best as I can.
“Also, I’ve received counsel, communications, and direction as to subscriptions and pricing and the like,” Brown added, “and I can say that there’s been no conflict of interest.”
This article appears in March 12, 2026 – March 19, 2026.