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JUVIK: So the computers started out big and expensive <br /> and they tended to be used by everybody. And then they got <br /> small and inexpensive and everybody started buying their <br /> own. I 'm just making that observation. <br /> BETHEA: Okay, well. <br /> DUNCAN: Mr. Chairman? <br /> BETHEA: Yes. <br /> DUNCAN: I am also concerned about the action of <br /> writing anything relating to computers into the Charter. <br /> Mr. Mizuno, don' t you feel that you already have that <br /> responsibility under the current Charter, since you are in <br /> charge of centralized purchasing of any equipment? Aren' t <br /> you already given some control over what ' s purchased , I <br /> mean, with computers? <br /> MIZUNO: Yes . There is some control. However, <br /> the. . .to give you an example, a good example of this problem <br /> would be in the area of the Prosecutor ' s Office. The <br /> Prosecuting Attorney' s Office does have a very good system, <br /> a very elaborate system and I think they went into that <br /> system because of the need. . . the perceived need of them to <br /> get their own system because they were unable to get the <br /> support out of the data processing department . So they <br /> merely decided to ask the state for funds. You know, these <br /> are funding from the state. And they have built their own <br /> computer system within one entity. And it can be dangerous <br /> if it ' s not controlled. I 'm not saying it doesn' t work. <br /> You know, it ' s just not , you know. . . the danger is that you <br /> have non-computer people trying to design a system for a <br /> particular division and it should be left to the <br /> professionals I believe. Something so very costly and so <br /> very important as your record maintenance. <br /> And the problem with us neophites is we think we know <br /> computers but we really don' t. We lack the expertise to <br /> properly document systems . We lack the discipline to do <br /> backups on a. daily basis. And if there is some sort of <br /> mishap, the chance of , you know, the chance of losing your <br /> information system is just . . . I hate to think of what would <br /> happen if the County ever lost its data that ' s on our <br /> computer. And this is the reason why we have professionals <br /> running that system, that require the discipline. <br /> CUSHNIE: Mr. Chairman, if I may. I too hesitate to <br /> get into specific language about computers; my feeling is <br /> that we can do it in a general way. If a major department <br /> has put in an appropriation or request for a certain amount <br /> of money, they have specified what it ' s for. So aren' t you <br /> and the Council and the mayor probably aware of these <br /> internal computer systems being set up? <br /> 278 <br />