Local Events a Drain on Public Resources? Centre Region Study May Investigate

A local study could soon examine just how much money the Centre Region spends to support large-scale public events, from the annual arts festivals to unofficial drinking holidays.

The analysis, proposed by the regional Council of Governments’ Public Safety Committee, would focus on the ‘burdens upon the region’s (public) services’ caused by major attractions and events. Those include the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts; Penn State football weekends; and unsanctioned gatherings such as the State Patty’s Day holiday, created by university students.

‘These present a cost to the community’ through police and other public services, said COG Executive Director Jim Steff. If municipal leaders can develop a meaningful estimate of that overall expense across the Centre Region, he said, they may be able to craft new fees and revenue streams — and redirect the financial burden away from property taxes.

The COG General Forum is scheduled to vote Monday evening on whether to authorize a formal study. Completing the work would probably require no more than 40 hours of COG staff time, according to an administration estimate.

Fire-administration director Steve Bair would conduct the analysis, drawing on data from municipal governments, medical professionals, code enforcers and business leaders. It also would review the local revenue generated by large events.

‘It can’t hurt. I think information is good,’ said Nigel Wilson, the Harris Township representative on the COG Executive Committee. The Executive Committee agreed Tuesday to send the proposed study to the General Forum for authorization.

Wilson said the study could help municipalities identify and recoup expenses directly related to large public events, much as College Township already does with an amusement tax that’s applied to ticket sales.

Likewise, Steff said, a study might provide evidence that could help regional leaders push for a local liquor tax, higher hotel fees or other non-property-tax levies. He said interest in the issue emerged from a public focus last year on the State Patty’s Day drinking holiday.

But the proposal for the study does not appear ‘extensive enough to give us anything to work with,’ said Steve Miller, the Ferguson Township representative on the COG Executive Committee. He said it still isn’t entirely clear how local leaders plan to use the information that a study could generate.

Discussion is expected to continue at the COG General Forum meeting on Monday. It will be open to the public, and it’s scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the COG building, 2643 Gateway Drive, State College.