City of Albany, CA
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Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax
In November 2016 Albany voters approved Measure O1, (Ordinance No. 2016-02), a general tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. Per the ordinance language, the Council shall hold a study session annually to receive input and recommendations regarding the expenditure of proceeds from the tax, and solicit recommendations from a number of organizations, including: the City’s Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission, Social & Economic Justice Commission, Transportation Commission, a designated representative from the Albany Unified School District (AUSD), and individuals with specialized expertise in areas such as public health issues and programs relating to diabetes, obesity and sugary drink consumption.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax is General Fund revenue that the City Council has agreed to appropriate for specific purposes and approved expenditures are incorporated into the City’s annual operating budget. The City utilizes the services of Avenu Insights to administer collection of the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax. Collection of the tax began in April 2017. The City has received the following amounts per fiscal year between April 2017 and April 2021.
Taxes Collected by Fiscal Year
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| $55,219.44 | $269,734.67 | $266,341.96 |
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| $277,040.07 | $265,984.38 | $261,061.84 |
| 2023 | ||
| $295,207 |
| Projects and Programs | Fiscal Year | Amount Spent |
| School Crossing Guard Program | 2019 | $120,510 |
| 2020 | $86,780 | |
| 2021 | $54,111 | |
| 2022 | $164,568 | |
| 2023 | $190,178 | |
| 2024* | $212,890 | |
| Total |
$829,037
|
|
| Water Bottle Filling Stations | 2019 | $47,260 |
| 2020 | $8,050 | |
| Total | $55,310 | |
| Healthy Me Music & Movement | 2020 | $6,040 |
| 2021 | $12,200 | |
| 2022 | $11,338 | |
| 2023 | $10.788 | |
| 2024* | $24,000 | |
| Total | $64,366 | |
| Bike Safety | 2020 | $5,900 |
| 2021 | $15,000 | |
| 2022 | $15,000 | |
| 2023 | $15,500 | |
| 2024* | $15,000 | |
| Total | $66.400 | |
| All-bany Swims | 2023 | $12,644 |
| 2024* | $20,000 | |
| Total | $32,644 | |
| Miscellaneous / Classes and Events | 2018 | $50,000 |
| 2019 | $202,100 | |
| 2020 | $16,200 | |
| 2021 | $0 | |
| 2022 | $6,000 | |
| 2023 | $33,980 | |
| 2024* | 10,000 | |
| Total | $318,280 | |
| Total for all Projects | $1,366,037 |
(*) - Projection of spending for 2024
Project and Program Descriptions
School Crossing Guard Program
The school crossing guard program has been provided by the City retaining the services of All City Management Services (ACMS) since the 2018-2019 school year and funded by Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax proceeds. The program provides for safe crossing for students going to and from Albany schools.
Water Bottle Filing Stations
A total of 8 water bottle filling stations were installed at City parks, one on the Ohlone Greenway and one each at the Community Center and City Hall.
Healthy Me Music & Movement
The program is implemented by Healthy Me Kids and is provided in English and Spanish in local preschools and in preschools, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms in the Albany Unified School district. Weekly lessons include a puppet skit, original songs and dances, and other interactive elements to teach healthy habits.
Safe Routes to School – Bike Safety Program
The “Drive Your Bike” program provides intensive education and training courses for bicycling to 4th and 5th grade students, typically during PE class. Students first learn street riding safety on school grounds, and the program culminates in an on-street ride field trip. Students learn how to perform a bike safety check, adjust helmets, communicate with traffic, abide by the rules of the road, communicate at intersections, and safely navigate their school’s neighborhood by bike. The program is offered through the non-profit Cycles of Change.
All-bany Swims
The Albany Unified School District All-bany Swims is a pilot program to teach young children to swim targeting primary grades (1st, 2nd & 3rd graders) with a comprehensive program to improve water safety and fitness in children that are most at-risk for drowning. The swim lessons would be offered to 147 low socioeconomic level students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Miscellaneous / Classes and Events
Albany Move’n’Groove Event – This is a 5K course (six laps) around Albany High School and Memorial Park in Albany, California. Registrants may walk, run, roller skate, wheelchair, or stroll while being entertained by live bands stationed around the course.
BikeLink Lockers - Installation of 4 secure bicycle lockers for long tail and cargo bikes including access hubs to enable the use of BikeLink and regional transit card access and connectivity for 5 years.
Free Physical Fitness Classes in Parks – Free fitness classes in parks such as Tai Chi, dance parties, gentle yoga, ultimate frisbee, and fitness bootcamp with infant/toddler were offered through the Recreation & Community Services Department.
Free Nutrition & Cooking Classes – Free youth cooking summer camps, adult cooking classes, youth cooking classes, and gardening classes were offered through the Recreation & Community Services Department.
SSB logo & Water Bottles – SSB Logo (Skip the Sugar Choose Water) was created and water bottles with new logo were purchased for distribution in the community.