The problem arises from the fact that early computer programmers often used a two-digit format to express the year. Of the 500 counties surveyed, representing 46 states, exactly half responded that a countywide strategic plan was in place to address Y2K issues. Of the 16 counties with populations above 500,000, all but one have already prepared a countywide plan, while 74 of the 119 counties below 10,000 in population have not. Most counties have used in-house staff to design their plan. Others used private consultants, and state and regional development agencies.
Counties seem to be dovetailing repair and replacement as they weave through assessment.
Seventy-six counties, or 16 percent, said they are ready for the big day. Twenty-one percent said they are a little more than halfway to three quarters complete. Although county responsibilities for service delivery and county government structure vary from state to state, the survey provided some insight on county priorities. Counties have tagged general government administration, taxation and finance, and emergency response, respectively, as their top three priorities. Big dollars have been directed toward compliance, and many more are budgeted.