City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 7, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Consideration of the Release of $30,000 from Contingent Reserves for the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) for Outreach Efforts and Reusable Bag Distribution in Response to the Adopted Plastic Bag Tax Ordinance.
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ISSUE: Should City Council release $30,000 from Contingent Reserves to enable T&ES to perform outreach and distribute reusable bags in response to the adopted Plastic Bag Tax Ordinance?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council allocate $30,000 in budgeted contingent reserve funding to the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services for use as described in this report.
BACKGROUND: The General Assembly adopted Virginia Code 58.1-1745 allowing localities to adopt ordinances that impose a tax in the amount of five-cents for each disposable plastic bag provided in grocery stores, convenience stores, or drugstores.
On September 18, 2021, City Council unanimously voted to adopt the Local Disposable Plastic Bag Tax. The City’s adopted FY 2022 operating budget included $30,000 in Non-Departmental Contingent Reserves (page 49) to develop and produce resources for graphics, advertisements, window clings, and to purchase reusable tote bags for distribution to low-income households. The total spending plan for $30,000 has not changed, but the breakdown deviates slightly from the proposed spending plan referenced in budget memo #28 to purchase additional reusable bags to accommodate the number of residents on SNAP and WIC.
To date in Northern Virginia, Arlington County and Fairfax County have also adopted bag tax ordinances, with Falls Church scheduled to do so this month.
DISCUSSION: T&ES is seeking the release of $30,000 from Contingent Reserves to enable T&ES to perform outreach and distribute reusable bags in response to the adopted Plastic Bag Tax Ordinance in the following manner:
a) $5,000 allocated for printing and postage (developing graphics, printing mailers, window cling stickers, notification letters for stakeholders);
b) $9,500 to purchase reusable bags for low-income households and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/ Women, Infants and Children (WIC) beneficiaries;
c) $8,000 in temporary staffing hours (hours for reusable bag distribution events, conducting street outreach to regulated businesses); and
d) $7,500 allocated for advertisements (social media, local newspapers, and/or bus shelters).
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no request for additional funds for FY 2022 beyond the $30,000 contingent funding.
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Morgan Routt, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Yon Lambert, Director, T&ES
Tarrence Moorer, Division Chief of Administrative Services, T&ES
Helen Lee, Environmental Program Manager, T&ES/Operations/Resource Recovery