VT - More Computer Glitches Snarl State Government

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Montpelier, Vermont - February 15, 2002

State Auditor Elizabeth Ready says the Governor and his administration have not done enough to fix problems with the state's new accounting system. The 18-million dollar computer program was installed last July, but Ready says lack of training and a bug in the system mean that state agencies are not able to keep track of their revenues and bills.

"Its as if you've gone seven months without balancing your checkbook. And that works ok when maybe your paycheck comes in, and you know you have plenty of money and you can go write a couple of checks. But when you begin to get a little closer to the edge, when you're in some tough financial times, and you know you've got x number of bills, you really want to have a good accounting of that."

Finance Commissioner Sean Campbell oversees the new system. He says his team has addressed many of the Audtor's concerns and that the main bug is being worked out now.

" I wouldn't challenge this project. This project has been successful. And its working. Its doing business in a different way. And change is difficult," Campbell said.

It's been challenging at the State Treasurer's office. That bug in the system means they have not been able to reconcile accounts for seven months.

"Its been very furstrating indeed," says Treasurer Jim Douglas. "We're working to address the issues, but the pace is slow, frankly. Every day that goes by without beginning these processes of reconciling bank accounts, means that we're all the farther behind."

The state is now hiring an outside accounting firm to help reconcile the seven month backlog. No one knows how much that will cost taxpayers.

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=666934&nav=4QcS7MGs

-- Anonymous, February 17, 2002


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