Community Engagement

The role of the Sweetened Beverage Tax Community Advisory Board (CAB) is to make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on programs and activities to fund with the Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) revenue.

In developing its recommendations, the CAB strives to involve residents, community coalitions, subject matter experts, and community-based organizations to identify and understand community interests and priorities.

The CAB welcomes both written and verbal public comment on topics related to the SBT and programs and services support by SBT revenues.

  • Email written public comment to bridget.igoe@seattle.gov
  • Provide verbal public comment by attending a CAB meeting 

The CAB's previous community engagements efforts are summarized below.

2024 Community Engagement

On June 21, 2024, the CAB hosted an SBT Roundtable Event to highlight the food security and prenatal-to-three programs and services supported by the SBT Fund. The purpose of the event was to educate newer City officials on the SBT, celebrate the programs and services supported by the SBT Fund, and raise awareness of the CAB's 2025 budget recommendations.

The event featured two panel discussions with community-based organizations that manage these hugely important programs and services offered throughout the city. The event was video recorded by the Seattle Channel.

2019 Community Engagement

In the 2019 Adopted Budget, in response to the CAB's recommendations, the City allocated $100,000 to support CAB-led community and stakeholder engagement efforts. To collect input on its the 2020 recommendations and allow time for more inclusive engagement, the CAB's engagement efforts occurred in two phases. 

  • Phase 1 Report - Engagement with Food Access Organizations
  • Phase 2 Report - Multicultural and Multilingual Community Engagement on Food Access and Early Learning Priorities 


2018 Community Engagement

In 2018, the CAB distributed two online surveys to gather input from community organizations and residents on how to use the SBT revenue, in alignment with the intent of the ordinance. A summary of the report is below.