Wisconsin state government’s new $138-million computer system is on track and within its projected budget.
The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Information Policy received an update Tuesday from Department of Administration Secretary Scott Neitzel, along with state employees involved in the development and implementation of the new STAR system.
STAR is the State Transforming Agency Resources project. The first of three phases will be in place by July 1, and STAR It will eventually provide a single software system for agencies to handle payroll, procurement, and other financial matters. It will replace a myriad of separate computer systems, some of them up to 25 years old.
The state has spent close to $82 million on STAR, and Assembly Democratic Minority Leader Peter Barca said a close watch is needed, so there are no cost overruns or problems with waste and abuse. Senate Democrat Kathleen Vinehout of Alma questioned a plan to bill the agencies for the project’s costs — and whether the system would be safe from hackers.
Assistant Deputy Administration Secretary John Hogan downplayed a consultant’s memo that cited a lack of employee training and communication from agencies involving the new system.