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Discussion Regarding Conducting a Review of Other Cities' Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes to Provide Findings/Recommendations to the City Council.
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Meeting Date: June 13, 2018
Contact Person/Dept: Jeff Muir/Finance Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5865
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Finance Advisory Committee (06/07/2018)
Department Approval: Jeff Muir, Chief Financial Officer (06/07/2018)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) discuss conducting a review of other cities' sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes or soda taxes to provide findings/ recommendations to the City Council.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In November 2014 and June 2016, respectively, Berkeley, California and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania became the first major cities in the US to institute sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes or soda taxes. Other cities such as Albany (CA), Boulder (CO), Oakland (CA), San Francisco (CA) the Navajo Nation, and Seattle (WA) have since followed suit in levying $0.01 - $0.02 per fluid ounce taxes on carbonated soft drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks with the goal of regulating sugary drink consumption in effort to reduce chronic disease risks and combat the obesity crises. Revenue generated from this tax of has been used in a variety of ways across cities, including earmarked for education initiatives, public health/wellness programs, community/agency grants, recreation centers, libraries and parks services.
At the recent City Council strategic planning retreat, it was recommended that the FAC review the policies of cities that have imposed SSB/soda taxes and report back with findings/recommendations.
ATTACHMENTS
1. City of Berkeley Central Administrative Office...
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