Finance Committee Agenda and Packet 2023 02 16

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SUBJECT: BAG TAX FUNDED WASTE REDUCTION PROGRAMS DATE: FEBRUARY 16, 2023 Waste Reduction Programs The objective of the bag -tax funded waste reduction programs is to utilize the collected revenue to provide programs and services to the Louisville community that continue to reduce waste in the commercial sector. When the Sustainability division developed the waste programs proposal, staff intended to develop a variety of programs, so that individual businesses are able to choose the program that best suits the needs of the specific business. Each business participating in the bag tax program will have the option to choose one waste reduction program per calendar year and the estimated value of all waste reduction programs are $1,000, so that the value of each program option is comparable to the other program options. If there is funding available, businesses may be eligible to participate in more than one waste reduction program per year. This option may become available if communication has been made to all businesses that participate in the program and each business has had an opportunity to participate in one waste reduction program. A business that is delinquent in bag tax filings will not be eligible for waste reduction programming until they become compliant. Currently, there are 26 businesses (12%) that are delinquent with more than one missing filing. City staff is able to provide support to these businesses to ensure compliance. When compliance is achieved, the business will be eligible for waste reduction programs. New businesses that join the bag tax program in 2023 will be eligible for waste reduction programming in 2024, if the business is in compliance at the time. Program 1: Bulk Supply of Reusable Bags Louisville businesses may find that a bulk supply of reusable bags provides support to the business owner and customers and reduces the number of disposable bags used in the community. Business sectors this may impact: Food, Vendor, Service, Retail, Grocery Current Louisville reusable bag designs include the two designs pictured below. In the future, Estimated Program 1 Costs A bulk purchase of $10,000 reusable bags totals —$20,000 If $1,000 of bags are allocated to each business that selects Program 1, each business would receive 500 bags. 9/57