State lawmakers put pressure on UW System administrators Tuesday to provide cost efficiency and oversight measures on both an $81 million payroll and the benefits computer system.
In the oversight meeting conducted by the Joint Committee on Information Policy and Technology, lawmakers prodded Tom Anderes, senior vice president of Administration and Fiscal Affairs, on data security and assurance that someone will be held responsible if the project fails.
State Rep. Kitty Rhoades, R-Hudson, questioned Anderes on capping future costs that could force the project to go over budget. Rhoades mentioned previously failed IT projects, and said Wisconsin should not waste taxpayers' money.
""[This project] sounds very familiar to the $28 million that we gave when we did the first shot at this,"" she said. ""In fairness to taxpayers, we really need to [say] that this is more than a $81 million dollar project because we have already invested almost $30 million in trying to learn how to do it.""
She said taxpayers are ""very concerned"" about IT projects, and said the oversight panel will look ""incredibly critically"" at the IT process.
""If I sound skeptical, I am ... we have been down this path [before],"" she said.
The UW System's consultant, Huron Consulting Group, recently came under fire for overstating its earnings the past three years. State Rep. Phil Montgomery, R-Green Bay, pointed out Huron's issues with reporting their tax liabilities and asked Anderes for a ""back-up plan"" if Huron failed to fulfill its contract.
Montgomery cited $170 million state dollars lost in previous IT project failures, and asked who would be held accountable if the UW payroll project fails.
When asked if he would be fired if the project failed, Anderes said, ""I would assume yes."" Montgomery said he needed more than an assumption and stressed the need for accountable leadership.
""I would like to know what the consequences are to the owner of this project,"" he said.
Anderes said he recognizes the risks involved in IT projects that promise to protect sensitive data, but said implementing the new system is the best way to reduce the risk for faculty and students.
