Commissioners discuss furnishing options for Huntington Senior Center; Serta to cover purchases

During the Sept. 2 meeting, commissioners discussed options for furnishing the Huntington Senior Center’s lounge area and agreed staff should explore procurement channels, including a state correctional-facility furniture program used by other county agencies.

County staff said Serta, the facility manager, will pay for the furnishings from leftover program funding and that the county’s role is to select items and specify what is needed: "we are just getting everything picked out saying this is what we want," a staff member said. Commissioners suggested a modest set of items — a couch, loveseat and two or three oversized chairs — and discussed whether commercial or state-procured furniture would be most durable for public use.

Staff described the state program as one source used by the sheriff’s office for some purchases, but noted the sheriff’s office had not ordered couches through that program. Commissioners generally supported researching the program and other commercial options; no formal motion or purchase authorization was made at the meeting. Staff said the county already has plans for banquet tables and other items and that this discussion applies only to lobby-style seating.

Because Serta will pay for the selected furnishings out of program funding, commissioners did not need to allocate county capital funds at the Sept. 2 meeting; staff will continue procurement work and report back if formal purchasing or county funding is needed.