Erie County Comptroller Mark C. Poloncarz said he wants financial institutions to compete to become underwriters for a $46 million bond issue.

So on Friday he announced a request for proposals.

"I firmly believe that by openly and widely disseminating [requests for proposals] and seeking new relationships with financial institutions, the county and the taxpayers can and will benefit from reduced costs," he said in a statement.

Poloncarz said he is honoring the pledge he made as a candidate to end no-bid contracts in the comptroller's office.

The county will use the borrowed money to pay for its obligations at Erie County Medical Center and for sewer district projects.