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Council committee reappoints and names members to Sweetened Beverage Tax advisory board; members flag declining revenue
Summary
The Seattle committee approved eight appointments to the Sweetened Beverage Tax Community Advisory Board and heard members describe program impacts on food access and early learning while noting declining tax revenue is a continuing concern.
The Finance, Native Communities and Tribal Governments Committee on June 18 approved eight appointments and reappointments to the Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) Community Advisory Board and heard board candidates describe how SBT-funded programs support food access, early learning and senior services across Seattle.
The advisory board appointments passed on a 5-0 roll call vote after candidates introduced themselves and summarized their program work and experience. Chair Dan Strauss moved the block of appointments; the motion was seconded and the clerk recorded ayes from Councilmembers Kettle, Sacca, Rivera, Council President Nelson and Chair Strauss.
The advisory board advises the mayor and city council on how SBT funds—currently described in the presentation as raising about $21,000,000 per year—should be directed to programs that increase access to healthy food, alleviate hunger and support child health and early learning. Bridget Igoe, food policy advisor at the Office of Sustainability and Environment, told the committee the ordinance that created the SBT also established the 11-member advisory board and directed the board to develop annual budget recommendations aligned with the city budget process.
New candidates and returning members described local programs funded by the tax. Belan Aden, vice president and cofounder of African Community Housing and Development, said Delridge Farmers Market grew from an SBT-funded initiative into a market serving thousands and distributing tens of thousands of pounds of produce. Laura Nicholson, executive director of Launch, described food bags for families at her nonprofit’s 13 South Seattle locations. Angie Wood, director of food bank programs at Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank, said the center uses SBT-funded programs to run home delivery and a no-cook program for people experiencing homelessness. Tanika Thompson Bird of Got Green described the Fresh Bucks program expansion and enrollment work; she and other speakers said Fresh Bucks has been especially popular and helped people purchase fresh produce.
Board members and candidates repeatedly raised an operational question for the long term: revenues from the SBT have declined, in part because the tax is meeting an intended health goal of reducing consumption and in part because of behavioral shifts that move purchases outside the city. Several members said the board has begun discussing how to sustain programs if revenue projections continue to fall. "It's something we talked about a lot at our last meeting," said Tanika Thompson Bird. "How can we continue to provide the great programs that our community is benefiting from so much?"
Committee members pressed for the advisory board to make sustainability part of its work plan and for the council to consider other funding options and coordination with existing departmental programs. Council President Nelson and Vice Chair Rivera asked the board and staff to bring options and budget implications back to committee as the council develops next year’s budget.
The committee then took up the appointments. The clerk read the short titles for appointments and reappointments (terms ending Aug. 31, 2027 and Aug. 31, 2029 where applicable), and the council approved the slate 5-0. The committee thanked candidates for their volunteer service.
The advisory board and staff said they will continue to meet and collaborate with council offices as they develop budget recommendations and work on sustaining programs supported by SBT funds. Committee members asked staff for further information about revenue projections and options to preserve key programs as the council proceeds through the summer budget work.
Less urgent details discussed included program delivery mechanics—fresh produce distribution, farm-to-preschool contracts, home delivery for seniors, and how transportation and logistics costs affect partner organizations—and the board’s plans to produce an annual report in partnership with the City Budget Office and SBT-funded departments.
The committee moved on after approving the appointments; members and presenters agreed to follow up with more detailed budget and revenue information in upcoming meetings.
