Responding to increased rates of diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color, connected to the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, the City Council placed a measure on the ballot in 2014 to impose a general tax on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages at a rate of 1 cent per fluid ounce. The measure included exceptions for small retailers, milk products, juice, baby formula, medical drinks, typical sweeteners added by consumers, diet drinks, and alcohol. The measure also established the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Product Panel of Experts to make recommendations on how and to what extent the City should establish or fund programs to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in Berkeley and to address the effects of such consumption. The measure requires the City Council to consider, but need not follow, the Panel’s recommendations and to annually inform the Panel as to the extent to which it has implemented the Panel's recommendations.
The voters adopted the measure in 2014, and it is currently set to expire on January 1, 2027.
This measure would extend the tax on the distribution of sugary beverages and the requirement that the City Council consider the Panel’s recommendations on how and to what extent the City should establish or fund programs to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in Berkeley and to address the effects of such consumption, until repealed or modified by the City’s voters.
The tax currently raises roughly $1.15 million a year for the City’s general fund, which is expected to remain the same if the tax is reauthorized by voters through this measure.
This measure changes nothing else about the tax. The tax rate, method of collection, method of implementation, exemptions, and other provisions in Chapter 7.72 of the Municipal Code would remain unchanged.
Source: City of Berkeley Ballot Measure Documents