Wayne County reviews multi‑year tech refresh and IT contract spending

County IT officials told commissioners that a multi‑year technology refresh targeting the oldest county devices and new‑hire equipment is under way and will be maintained as an operational budget item rather than a one‑off project. Ryan Hayes, division director of computing and infrastructure, said the refresh replaces older machines on an as‑needed basis and supports new staff.

Commissioner Peterson Mayberry pressed staff on a $900,000 total cited in the report. Cheryl Reuter, team lead, said the $900,000 is the sum of three fiscal allocations: $200,000 for 2023–24, $300,000 for 2024–25 and $400,000 for 2025–26. Reuter referenced a detailed line item showing purchases including “100 monitors, the laptops for a total of $299,009.79,” which she said is included in the $300,000 figure for 2024–25.

Mayberry also asked about a line listing an "upgrade of store once backup solution" with a dollar amount shown as a multi‑year payment through 2029. IT staff clarified that the backup solution is an IT contract included in the report’s list of county contracts and not part of the tech‑refresh capital replacement line. They said that item reflected a five‑year purchase with maintenance and that ongoing maintenance runs through 2029.

Officials said the county intends to continue budgeting for the tech refresh as an operational line so a portion of devices can be replaced each year — roughly a third or a quarter of devices annually — rather than treating the program as a one‑time capital expense. Commissioners noted that adding staff would increase equipment needs and costs.

The commission approved the items on the table (including the tech contracts listing) by voice/tablet vote during the meeting.