KINGSTON – Shrinking revenues as the recession continues may result in Ulster County officials holding off on the purchase of a new more than $500,000 county computer system.

County lawmakers are exploring their options.  Administrative Services Committee Chairwoman Jeanette Provenzano said a consensus is forming to upgrade the current system for now.

“You know how it is with technology. You could buy something today and in six months they have something new up; it could be outdated,” she said. “What we have is working. It might take a little longer to get a report someone is looking for, but it’s still a lot better than spending $700-$800,000 and possibly have to tack that onto a property tax increase. We don’t want to do that.”

Depending upon how sales tax revenues come in after the first of the new year, the county may revisit purchasing a new system.

The technology upgrade was initially recommended by County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach.