A. The City of Berkeley is committed to providing its community with transactional access to the goods and services provided by Berkeley’s businesses. For many City residents, such as those unable to obtain bank accounts, the ability to engage in consumer transactions, including goods and services vital to health and safety, depends on the ability to pay with legal cash tender established by the federal government of United States.

B. Cashless business models present significant detrimental impacts to vulnerable groups, especially low-income people, as they require financial institution-sponsored payment in credit or debit cards, or other non-cash forms of payment.

C. Cash payment, in the form of the United States Dollar, has been the official legal tender since 1792 and shall be recognized by businesses alongside other forms of legal tender.

D. It is the intent of the Council to ensure Berkeley’s economy is inclusionary and accessible to everyone, including those who lack access to non-cash forms of payment. (Ord. 7681-NS § 1 (part), 2019)