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Fettes said reconstruction, demolition and asbestos abatement must be undertaken with the nearly $6 million in bonds approved by the Legislature in the fall.
The north and west wings of the infirmary will be converted into offices.
As soon as architects are chosen, the county will determine what can be done with each building to stay within the budget, said Fettes.
The county can only spend so much money on converting the infirmary into county offices, said Fettes.
"Realistically, I know it can't all be saved because of dollars," she said.
The $6 million passed for the construction comes from the property tax, which Fettes said she doesn't want to see go any higher, but she noted that providing handicap accessibility is one of the big ticket costs for renovating the infirmary buildings.
When the center is operating, residents of the eastern side of the county will not have to drive into Poughkeepsie to conduct government business.
In August 2003, the county announced that, among services to be provided at the center, will be the departments of health and mental hygiene.
Dutchess County has owned the infirmary property since the early 19th century.
The two buildings the county plans to use on the property are the main infirmary building, built in the 1960s, and the former county poorhouse, built in the 19th century.
These and other buildings on the property are eligible for listing with state and national registers of historic places. The Preservation League of New York has notified the state of this eligibility.
