12/21/2005: "Replacing Si On EDEN: May Be Expensive"

The David Zeretzke, spokesman for the ad-hock committee formed by the BOCC to replace Si Stephens (Previous Story) as the Lead Manager of the EDEN project, reported back to the Commissioners that after a meeting in which they reviewed documents on the project, they have concluded that there are "people in the state that can pick this up and continue on" with the project.

To that end, the committee has begun to post for a new position for a coordinator that will take over the task of replacing the current county software program the Auditor uses. In response to questions from Commissioner Lichter as to budget impacts, Zeretzke said there may be the need to "look" at the budget in the middle of 2006, as the original amount for professional services was $55,000.00, but some of that has been spent on outside consultants.

Commissioner Lichter asked how long this is going to take, and was told at least 18 months, and some counties have taken as long as two years to implement the program. Zeretzke also said it is unlikely that the start-up of the new program can now meet the original time-line.

Lichter told Zeretzke that "I am mildly disappointed we now need to post for this position. I had hoped you would have been able to come back to us today with a plan and a person."

The budgeted amount for the direct costs of the EDEN project is $693.000.00, but that will not cover the indirect costs, and even those are now expected to rise as a result of Auditor Stephens resigning his position as Lead Manager when the BOCC refused to authorize additional work hours for the project; an authorization that they will now, it appears, have to do anyway as they search for a new employee from the main land to manage the program.