By Gari Voss
The Allegan County building on 122nd Avenue northwest of Allegan unveiled the spacious working quarters of the Allegan County administrative staff, vital county services, and the newly renovated areas for the County Treasurer, Register of Deeds and County Clerk, and Drain Commission. The other county offices include Equalization, Information Services, Facilities Management and Parks, Finance, and Human Resources.
The Open House trip through the facilities on October 10, 2024, began in the waiting room where visitors and their children could work at a table. By following the red arrows on the floor, a circuitous path led through the Treasurer area then into the County Clerk area, the Register of Deeds cubicles and to Equalization.
Continuing down the hall, visitors could meet with members of the Resource Planning and Project Management Team and Technology Support. Traveling on, visitors could visit with the Facility Management director, county administrator, Finance team, and Human Resources staff. A quick turn to the right found the Drain Commissioner area.
Each area had new workstations and storage areas appropriate to their needs, but what may be the most important piece of the renovation is the convenience for visitors requiring assistance. The customer service area contains a number of windowed stations. If someone comes in to get a deed, but there are questions or concerns, they can walk right over to the appropriate window for additional assistance.
Though there have been some complaints filed by the County Clerk, Treasurer, and Drain Commissioner, the staff members currently residing in the Allegan County Building on 122nd Avenue have found some definite positives when comparing the new facility with their areas in the County Courthouse.
The first comments from staff referred to the openness and natural light in each area. There was room to store materials. On this day, a staff member from Equalization was covering an information window for another employee while continuing to complete their own duties. A person came in to address a concern with a deed and left within minutes of parking in the spacious parking lot, entering the building, finding the appropriate window, and leaving with the task completed.
As legal questions unfold regarding the ability of the County Commissioners and administration to relocate certain county offices, those who are currently utilizing the new spaces will continue to serve the people of Allegan County to the best of their abilities while utilizing the department team members who already occupy the Allegan County facility.
