He calls the work both tedious and requiring a high degree of analytical skill. In response, the County has formulated a virtual team approa ch. Programmers spend four to five weeks making Year 2000 corrections and enjoy a four to five week respite performing other kinds of work. The County CIO says he isn't surprised that a recent survey of U.S. counties found half not even holding a Year 2000 plan. Fifteen have no IT professionals.
H e says that fact alone puts ten percent of counties in the state at risk.
Other factors contribute, including the belt tightening that has pinched many jurisdictions, including Contra Costa County. Steinbrecher says his department lost 20 percent of its staff in two years. He would like to see the state legislature likewise place a freeze on the passage of legislation which the n requires changes to code. He also plans to bring down the County data center on New Year's Eve just in case problems occur so that they can be isolated an d identified as the facility boots back up. Despite all his preparations, Steinbrecher says he doesn't feel good about Year 2000-just proactive and prepared.