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Economic Development Commission approves MapHub subscription and amends FY27 budget
Summary
The Northumberland County Economic Development Commission voted to buy a MapHub business package ($240/year) to retain an online map with more than 100 items and approved a FY27 budget amendment to cover the cost and list the contract. Commissioners also discussed QR-code reliance, analytics, and account payment options.
The Northumberland County Economic Development Commission voted to purchase a MapHub business package and to add the $240 annual cost to its FY27 budget.
Executive Director presented options after learning MapHub now charges accounts that host more than 100 map items; the commission’s current map contains about 166 items. Commissioners discussed four options: reduce the map to 100 items, buy MapHub’s business package ($240/year; two users), buy a lower-cost single-user package ($96/year), or pursue an alternative platform. Concerns included the time required to prune map items, the widespread use of a QR code printed on roughly 35,000 brochures, and whether analytics would justify the added cost.
Several commissioners said analytics could help measure engagement from visitors and online users, while others worried that pruning dozens of items would be difficult and that relying on a staff or personal credit card to register the account could create long-term access problems. The commission noted MapHub supports CSV exports, so data could be migrated if the county later chose a different vendor.
After discussion, a commissioner moved and the commission voted in favor of MapHub’s business package (option 2). The executive director said staff would explore secure county payment methods (ACH or a county-controlled account) rather than using a personal card and would work with county procurement and IT on contract listing and billing.
Votes at a glance - Motion to select MapHub business package (option 2): approved by voice vote. - Motion to add $240 MapHub annual cost and list MapHub as a contract in the FY27 budget: approved by voice vote as part of the FY27 budget amendment.
What this means The commission will keep the existing, full map online under the paid package, retain map content and analytics access afforded by the chosen package, and update the FY27 budget to include the expense. Staff said they will follow county procurement guidance and ensure contract information is included on the county’s contracts tab.
Next steps Staff will follow up with the county finance/IT office on payment method options and will record the MapHub account and contract information in the budget/contract spreadsheet so the county’s records reflect the change.
