The Pennridge Finance Committee on Oct. 13 reviewed a proposed Ricoh copier‑fleet refresh to replace equipment and out‑of‑service print‑management software, discussed a slate of contracts presented for committee consideration and heard a fiscal outlook that questioned state funding and local revenue trends ahead of the 2026 budget.

Ricoh copier refresh
District staff explained that the current fleet’s print‑management software (Equitrack) reaches end‑of‑life on Dec. 31, 2025. Administration presented an option to refresh 66 multifunction devices (MFDs) this December with PaperCut software preinstalled so the district avoids a double implementation and obtains newer equipment sized to current copy volumes. Key financial points presented:
- Current monthly equipment lease: $9,520.11; new proposal averages about $9,137/month after the initial six months and includes delivery, installation, five years of maintenance, toner and supplies.
- Per‑copy service pricing was negotiated to $0.0036 (black/white) and $0.0306 (color); projected district copy volumes have declined from an estimated 112 million copies (five years ago) to about 70 million today.
- District staff identified potential additional monthly savings by removing unused hardware options (drawers, internal staplers) on selected machines; staff said default settings will remain black‑and‑white and duplex when appropriate, and principals will receive usage reports to manage color printing.
- Staff requested committee agreement to forward the refresh contract to the full board for approval because the state CoStars contract pricing was negotiated down an additional 64% in Ricoh’s offer; administration cited tariff uncertainty for equipment and asked to finalize before potential import tariffs take effect.

Contracts presented
Finance staff presented multiple contracts for educational services, LearnWell medical‑education hours for students in medical placements, a yearbook contract for Sellersville Elementary, an MOU with Bucks County Children and Youth for foster‑care transportation procedures, a musical licensing fee for North Middle School's production and the annual Bucks County Intermediate Unit mailing contract. The committee discussed the Camp Hill School placement and LearnWell hourly rates; committee members asked clarifying questions but no formal vote on these items was recorded in the transcript. (Administration indicated these items will be processed following normal approval paths.)

Act 1 index, assessed value and state funding
Business officials reviewed the 2026 Act 1 index (3.5%) and explained that, using current assessed value, the district could generate roughly $3.21 million by accepting the full index (about a 4.9‑mills change in local rate if taken). However, assessed‑value growth has slowed: recent years show sub‑1% growth, reducing the revenue boost that once came from valuation increases. Earned income tax (EIT) growth, once a strong local revenue source, has also moderated; EIT surged during the COVID period but the district saw lower EIT receipts in 2024–25 than budgeted.

State funding uncertainty: committee members were told that the governor’s proposed budget and a subsequent House bill differ; the committee was warned that the Senate has indicated a preference for flat funding in its budget posture. Administration reported a year‑to‑date shortfall of approximately $9.8 million in state funding receipts compared with last year through October and said the total shortfall will be tracked and updated.

Opt‑out resolution and next steps
The administration said the district maintains an Act 1 opt‑out resolution option (which can be adopted up to January) and that the committee typically brings an opt‑out resolution forward in October as a placeholder. Staff recommended continuing budget work under the assumption of staying within the Act 1 index and preparing detailed budget scenarios for January and March presentations.

Ending: Committee members requested more detailed cost breakdowns for the copier refresh and the athletics concepts and asked administration to keep the committee apprised as state budget actions become clear.