Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax
Ballot Measure O1 was approved by the voters as part of the November 2016 General Election for a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage General Tax.
The measure approves City of Albany Ordinance 2016-02(PDF, 775KB), and enacts a one cent per ounce general tax, with no expiration date, on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages and sweeteners used to sweeten such drinks, but exempting:
- Sweeteners typically used by consumers and distributed to grocery stores;
- Drinks and sweeteners distributed to small retailers;
- Milk products, 100% juice, baby formula, alcohol, or drinks taken for medical reasons.
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, R.I.S.E. 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 and as of 2025, total spending for all projects is $1,618,119.
_Taxes Collected by Fiscal Year
| Year |
Amount |
| 2024 |
$199,421 |
| 2023 |
$295,207 |
| 2022 |
$261,061.84 |
| 2021 |
$265,984.38 |
| 2020 |
$277,040.07 |
| 2019 |
$266,341.96 |
| 2018 |
$269,734.67 |
| 2017 |
$55,219.44 |
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.
| Fiscal year |
Amount Spent |
| Total |
$54,987 |
| 2025* |
$20,000 (projected) |
| 2024 |
$17,343 |
| 2023 |
$17,644 |
Classes and Events - Misc.
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 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.
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.
Gill Tract Community Farm
Partial funding to support curriculum development and 25 AUSD field trips to the UC Gill Tract Community Farm.
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
| Fiscal year |
Amount Spent |
| Total |
$353,464 |
| 2025* |
$40,844 (projected) |
| 2024 |
$5,000 |
| 2023 |
$33,980 |
| 2022 |
$6,000 |
| 2021 |
$0 |
| 2020 |
$16,200 |
| 2019 |
$202,100 |
| 2018 |
$50,000 |
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.
| Fiscal year |
Amount Spent |
| Total |
$63,066 |
| 2024 |
$22,700 |
| 2023 |
$10,788 |
| 2022 |
$11,338 |
| 2021 |
$12,200 |
| 2020 |
$6,040 |
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.
| Fiscal year |
Amount Spent |
| Total |
$81,400 |
| 2025* |
$15,000 (projected) |
| 2024 |
$15,000 |
| 2023 |
$15,500 |
| 2022 |
$15,000 |
| 2021 |
$15,000 |
| 2020 |
$5,900 |
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.
| Fiscal year |
Amount Spent |
| Total |
$1,009,892 |
| 2025* |
$182,695 (projected) |
| 2024 |
$211,050 |
| 2023 |
$190,178 |
| 2022 |
$164,568 |
| 2021 |
$54,111 |
| 2020 |
$86,780 |
| 2019 |
$120,510 |
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.
| Fiscal year |
Amount Spent |
| Total |
$55,310 |
| 2020 |
$8,050 |
| 2019 |
$47,260 |