Two Oceans Digital: The Last and Worst Audit Yet

As we near Election Day, I want to make something clear: Monroe County needs serious oversight, and the recent situation with Two Oceans Digital is proof of that. For 30 years, this company has held a contract with the TDC, dating back to when the internet was still in its infancy. This contract has not been revisited or renegotiated in decades, and it has cost the TDC millions. This should never happen under the watch of a responsible, transparent government.

As a former auditor, I can tell you this: any company that refuses to cooperate with an audit raises serious red flags. That’s exactly what happened with Two Oceans Digital. Not only were they unprepared for an audit, but they initially refused to cooperate with the County Clerk. To this day, they decline to provide documentation on the profits they’ve made from the TDC’s website. These are grounds for immediate termination of their contract.

I studied the previous RFP when it was released in 2019, and I believe it was specifically tailored to benefit Two Oceans Digital. The business relationship they’ve had with the County has allowed them to hide exactly how much they’re profiting off of us—the taxpayers.

Audits save taxpayers money by identifying waste, inefficiency and wrongdoing. Electing an auditor to the County Commission will bring the experience and change we need to get Monroe County back on track. Any company doing business with our county should be audit-ready at all times. In the case of Two Oceans Digital, this 30-year-old agreement needs to be put out for bid, and we need to ensure that future contracts work for the people of Monroe—not just for the company.

This isn’t about one company. It’s about a larger culture of complacency and a lack of oversight. When checks, balances, and transparency are missing, it costs us all. Thirty years is far too long for any company to hold a contract without review, and it’s unacceptable that there’s been no accountability. As your next Commissioner, I will ensure that every business contracted by the County is regularly audited, with findings made public and discussed in detail at BOCC meetings. The residents of Monroe deserve to know we are working for them, not for a select few. The next TDC meeting is on Tuesday, October 29th in Marathon, and I will be attending to hear what the TDC board has to say about this audit.

I urge the TDC board to act swiftly and rectify this situation. It’s time to find a new digital partner that values transparency and accountability, not just profit. If I’m elected, I will make sure we never find ourselves in a situation like this again.

To read the entire article in the Keys Weekly click HERE.

This election is your chance to make that change. One new voice on the County Commission can make all the difference. I ask for your vote on November 5th to be that voice of oversight and transparency. For more information on my platform, please visit www.chrisformonroe.com. Thursday October 31st is the last day to make a donation to my campaign and help us spread our message. Consider supporting our campaign today!

Thank you for your support.