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MOTION was made by Commissioner Adams, SECONDED <br />BY Commissioner Stanbridge to approve staff's <br />recommendation. <br />In making the motion, Vice Chairman Adams expressed concern that this is a sole <br />source provider and hoped the County would not have a problem of "gouging" because of <br />it. <br />In seconding the motion, Commissioner Stanbridge expressed the same concern. <br />General Services Director Tom Frame reported that part of this relates to the existing <br />automation system; Geac was the provider of the software and the support company for that <br />software system. The significant change was the Y2K problem associated with the Motorola <br />mainframe, which was not Y2K compliant. There was no particular complaint with this <br />particular company. Also, there are a series of "dumb terminals" that operate the Library's <br />automation system. By using Geac, we will not have to change those terminals immediately. <br />The new software will be a Windows ®-based program but it will also run parallel on both <br />the personal computers and the "dumb terminals". Replacing the existing hardware ("dumb <br />terminals") would increase the price immediately. Eventually all the "dumb terminals" will <br />be phased out, but it is not being done now because of the lack of funds to make a complete <br />conversion. <br />Commissioner Ginn was concerned that it took over 100 days to bring this to the <br />Board's attention and now there was a rush. She was troubled by that and inquired as to the <br />reason. <br />Administrator Chandler responded that the problem had been identified several <br />months ago and staff had come to the Board with a proposed budget amendment. Other <br />potential Y2K problems were identified also and the top priorities were emergency services <br />and utilities. Priorities were addressed first. <br />Commissioner Ginn understood, but still felt this should have been moved forward <br />in a more timely fashion. <br />Director Frame apologized and added that there was some delay in having the <br />agreement reviewed by our legal staff. <br />Commissioner Ginn then asked if we had any assurance that the upgrades will work <br />and be Y2K compliant, and Director Frame felt confident that the upgrades would render the <br />JUNE 229 1999 <br />63 <br />BOOK . 109 FAGUE 2k <br />