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Council agrees to explore adding a charitable-donation option to food-tax refund process
Summary
Council expressed support for staff research into whether residents applying for the city food-tax refund could be given a simple way to donate part or all of that refund to local nonprofits such as Lift Up; staff recommended a web statement/hyperlink approach and return with options in the new year.
Councilors on Dec. 17 discussed a proposal from nonprofit Lift Up to let taxpayers designate part or all of a city food-tax refund to a charity. Council asked staff for more information and debated whether to limit the option to Lift Up or make a broader list of nonprofit options.
Councilor Sam said the council should allow other nonprofits to participate if a mechanism is implemented; another councilor suggested limiting it to Lift Up because of a direct nexus with the tax’s purpose. Staff and councilors proposed compromise options — a website link pointing to a vetted list of local nonprofits or a general website statement encouraging voluntary donations — and agreed to return in January with staff analysis. The administration said implementing a singled-out, fill-in-the-blank option on the refund application could complicate fund dispersion and administration.
No final policy was adopted; staff will return with options and a recommended approach for inclusion in the 2026 refund cycle if council chooses to proceed.
