Wayne County commissioners voted to continue the county's participation in eight cooperative purchasing programs that allow the county to use contracts awarded by other governmental entities.

Arthur Walker, procurement director in the county's Management and Budget Department, said the county's procurement ordinance allows cooperative purchasing and that the eight programs under consideration have been used by the county over the past five years. "We are requesting approval of our participation with 8 cooperative purchasing programs," Walker said. He listed the programs on the floor as Omnia Partners, Sourcewell, the National Association State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint, the Oakland County cooperative/"America Saves" program, the U.S. General Services Administration, the Regional Educational Media Center Association of Michigan (REMC), and the Michigan Association of Counties CoPro.

Walker said current authorization expires at the end of this month; approval would allow continued use of those programs through September 2030. Supporters told the commission cooperative purchasing can reduce administrative costs and leverage supplier economies of scale.

The motion to approve participation was moved by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner Morecki. The roll call recorded that the motion carried, with one abstention by Commissioner Palomir.

County officials said the action continues existing cooperative purchasing relationships and does not in itself commit specific dollars beyond future procurements that may use the cooperative contracts.