St. Lawrence County government is considering creating a department, albeit with only one position to start.

County management is proposing an Information Technology Department to handle communications and data processing duties now handled by Central Services. An IT Department director would be hired with the expectation that employees already handling such work for various departments will be tied together under that supervisor.

"Given the technical complexity of that area, it makes sense to look at it," said Legislature Chairman J. Patrick Turbett, D-Potsdam.

The move could coincide with the retirement later this year of Central Services Department Director Natalie S. Aldrich. Aside from data processing, her department handles personnel and civil services duties for all municipalities except Ogdensburg.

Data processing and personnel merged in 1992 under the watch of Donald R. Brining, who went on to be county administrator.

"IT has changed tremendously in those 15 years," Mr. Turbett said.

The move comes at a time of renewed interest in communications. The phone system in the courthouse complex recently was overhauled. The next task is connecting to the Human Services Building on Route 310, the jail being built near Commerce Lane and the Highway Department building, Park Street. The county also is negotiating with a company to overhaul its Web site.

The 1992 merger saved the county $8,999. The biggest cost of creating an IT Department will be the director's salary, which is not set.

The move appears to have legislative support, but lawmakers are growing increasingly leery of creating jobs. The county has created 29 positions since 2006.

"The issue on everything now is, what can we afford?" Mr. Turbett said.