New county computer system advances in Ulster legislative committee

(Reprinted from MIDHUDSONNEWS.COM)

KINGTON – The purchase of a new financial system for Ulster County government is in the 2010 capital budget, but whether it will stay, with its multi-million dollar price tag, remains to be seen.

County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach has been promoting it, saying the current system is antiquated.

While she agrees one is needed, Administrative Services Committee Chairwoman Jeanette Provenzano said the continued weak economic climate will dictate its fate.

“The state is threatening to cut more revenue to local government; call-backs if you will, take back what they have already given to us,” she said. “So, we don’t know what financial situation we are going to be in.”

Development of the county capital budget, like the general budget, is up to County Executive Michael Hein, who has presented his tentative spending plan to the county legislature for its review.