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Ulster County committee presses for answers on $11.5M Motorola change order, flags oversight gaps
Summary
Controller Gallagher and legislators raised questions about missing packet pages, whether NYSTEC reviewed a proposed $11.5 million Motorola change order, and whether the radio project’s scope and vendor payments have been properly controlled; members directed the executive office to seek clarity before legislative session.
Controller Gallagher and other members of the Ulster County Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee pressed the executive office on Dec. 11 over an $11.5 million change order tied to the county’s Motorola radio-system project, saying incomplete documentation and unclear vendor review created unacceptable procurement risk.
"I'm very uncomfortable they weren't included in the packet and I'm very uncomfortable that I don't have those pages for the 11.5 million change order," a committee member said, noting the materials arrived late from Deputy Executive Papuano. Controller Gallagher added that a vendor under contract to the county—New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC)—is paid to review vendor proposals and task deliverables, and she asked whether NYSTEC had reviewed this change order as required under its agreement.
Committee members said the item included pricing for APX N50 portable radios (about 1,500 units was listed in the package) and that the project has expanded substantially over time. "This project has ballooned from $8.5 million to now $23 million over the course of the project," the member said, framing the change order in the context of cumulative cost growth. Members expressed concern about whether equipment was previously delivered and paid for before the county had base locations and towers ready for deployment.
Several legislators urged caution about acting immediately to capture a vendor discount tied to year-end pricing. "If they're willing to give us this discount now, I'm sure they could extend that a couple of months until we do our fact-checking and make sure that the concerns that the controller has... are addressed," one legislator said.
Other committee members said it would be reasonable to move the item out of committee for consideration at the full legislature but to seek written clarifications from the executive office and the vendor in the intervening days. Sheriff Collins told the committee he is concerned enough that he may vote against the change order at session if the outstanding questions are not answered.
The committee asked the executive office to contact Motorola to request an extension of the pricing or otherwise secure time for county staff and NYSTEC to complete their review before a final vote. The committee did not adopt a final procurement decision on the change order in committee; members agreed to seek additional documentation and to consider the item at the next session if necessary.
Why it matters: The radio-system project funds interoperable communications and new tower/tower-upgrade work for emergency responders; gaps in packet materials and vendor review could expose the county to unexpected cost increases, premature payments, or warranty/delivery issues. Committee members repeatedly stressed the public-safety importance of the project while insisting on stronger internal controls and vendor oversight.
What’s next: The executive office was asked to pursue clarifications with Motorola and NYSTEC and to return answers before the legislature’s session vote so members can decide with the missing documentation and vendor-review status clarified.
