Board agrees to sign multi‑party MOU for Penn State consultant; township share estimated ≤ $6,000

The board discussed a proposed consultant engagement to assess the municipal impacts of Penn State University and to inform negotiations over payments‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes. Staff said the consultant estimated the work would not exceed $30,000 in total; because five parties participate in the settlement group, the township’s share should be no higher than $6,000.

Some supervisors suggested alternative allocation methods (for example, prorating based on an agreed metric), but staff said the county had already circulated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and that all other partners had signed. Staff urged signing so the consultant could begin work quickly; board members emphasized that any final distribution of revenue from a renewed agreement would return to the board for approval.

One supervisor asked where the township currently records the existing Penn State payment; staff identified roughly $13,000 per year as the township’s present receipt and suggested it appeared in revenues under a general category. Board members asked that the consultant analysis consider traffic and service impacts (CATA, event traffic) and noted that allocation of any increase among partners will be negotiated but ultimately returned to each governing board for approval.

A motion to sign the MOU and move forward with consultant selection was supported by several supervisors; the board signaled approval and staff prepared to sign the county’s MOU to begin consultant work.