It will cost the United States' 3,069 counties about US$1.7 billion to eradicate their Y2K bugs -- but only half have even started the job, the National Association of Counties said on Tuesday.
The association based its report on a survey of 500 counties in 46 states. "Exactly half responded that a strategic plan was in place to address Y2K issues," the group said.
Nearly a quarter of the surveyed counties estimated it will cost between $10,000 and $100,000 to fix the problem, while 22 counties estimated the cost would be in the millions.
Of the 16 counties in the survey with populations over 500,000, all but one have a countywide plan. Those that don't may experience a computer meltdown at the turn of the millennium.
Small counties were less prepared. Of the 119 counties in the survey with populations below 10,000, 74 said they did not have plans.
Most counties without strategic plans said they assigned the problem to a project leader. One third said they have assessed their systems in preparation for fixing the problem.
