Agenda Packets - 1999/02/01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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But time is running out. With the Year 2000 right around the corner,we are all facing a deadline that can't be extended. The Cost of Coping Both the time and the money that it will take to solve Y2K problems in your local government or in your commu- nity will very likely be available only at the expense of other improvements and other projects. It will require reprogramming,replacing,or retiring older"legacy" computing systems--the mainframes and minicomputers that were the mainstay of computing before the advent of the personal computer. But it will also require that newer systems be checked as well as systems that aren't computer systems but use microchips-- elevator controls and security systems,for example. The exact cost of doing that will depend on the size of the city or county and the extent of its use of informa- tion technology. Seattle estimates that it will spend more than$50 million to reprogram major applications affected by the problem and replace the city's accounting system. Some cities and counties are fortunate to have recently launched major IT plans that will replace old systems with new ones in time to avoid the Year 2000 problem. In these cases,many of the Y2K compliance costs are covered by funds budgeted for system improvements in the overall city or county budget. In Conclusion The Year 2000 problem is a real problem,with serious impacts on local governments,local businesses,and local economies. Fixing the problem is not difficult technically; computer experts have been developing the solutions for some time and many of them are being implemented. But it will take time and money to make all the necessary changes in the computer hardware,software,data,and automated systems that are becom- ing essential parts of the modern city or county. It is essential,then,that local officials be aware of the prob- lem and that they take the lead, not only in city hall but in the wider community,to make sure that the year 2000 will begin as free of problems as possible. The checklist that follows is, at best,an outline for action for local officials, local business owners,and the community. Above all,make sure that the operating mode for whatever you do is urgency, not panic. Y2K YOU -7- a ®,l]