County Dems call for investigation of M3S

Listen to this article

Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature on Thursday called on the state Authorities Budget Office to investigate the county’s latest local development corporation known as M3S, or Monroe Safety and Security Systems.

They claim the entity was created under false pretenses, that the procurement process was flawed by a conflict of interest and that M3S is deliberately using subcontractors to avoid transparency laws.

Citing the recent awarding of a $30 million contract — $11 million more than the lowest bid — the Democrats further claim needed public safety communications infrastructure upgrades have been delayed and will cost county taxpayers more money than necessary.

Democratic leader Harry Bronson said he supports upgrading the public safety communications technology, but that the process approved was flawed from the start.

“The expanded use of local development corporations by Monroe County should be of significant concern to taxpayers, as millions of public dollars are invested in these shadowy pseudo-governments,” said Democratic legislator Vincent Esposito. “It is critical to have proper oversight of their operations. We believe this new public safety LDC was deliberately set up to evade state and county laws and is costing taxpayers millions of dollars more than necessary.”

Monroe Security was set up in  September 2009. The LDC and the county have maintained since its founding that all laws are being followed.