Wayne County committee approves furniture addendum for Assessment & Equalization office move

The Wayne County Committee on Government Operations voted to approve an addendum to a cooperative agreement with American Interiors to purchase and install office furniture for the Department of Management and Budget’s Assessment and Equalization division. The item was approved by motion and carried unanimously by tablet vote.

Scott Vandermergle, director of Assessment and Equalization, told commissioners the contract continues work begun with a predecessor vendor (Marks Moda) that was later assumed by American Interiors and that the new furniture will provide continuity with other floors. He said the vendor estimates installation will take “approximately 6 to 8 weeks” from contract signature, placing completion roughly in early April, depending on weather and delivery.

Vandermergle said staff and employees were involved in selection, and the workstations will include height-adjustable surfaces and ergonomic seating intended to accommodate staff with mobility or back issues. He credited assistant director Latoya Haygood with leading the project and described extensive renovation needs in the century-old space, including plaster repair, unlevel floors and upgraded electrical and data infrastructure before furniture installation could proceed.

Commissioners noted the department’s recent hires and praised the decision to use Wayne County building trades and county staff in conjunction with unionized labor to control costs while delivering a professional, functional workspace. Commissioner Killeen complimented the department’s in-house hiring and management of the move.

The committee approved the addendum after brief discussion; commissioners were asked to vote on tablets and the motion carried.

The county will oversee the installation timeline and has invited commissioners to tour the renovated floor once work progresses.