For the past two years, Mahoning County Board of Elections officials have vocally complained about the conditions at its offices at Oakhill Renaissance Place.

There’s been a lot of talk. There’s even been singing as board Chairman David Betras performed in front of the county commissioners.

Could action finally be forthcoming?

That’s difficult to determine, but things have progressed more in the last six weeks than they have at any other time during the past two years.

All involved parties agree on one thing: Getting the board of elections and other county offices out of Oakhill on Youngstown’s South Side is a priority.

But there is no sense of urgency from anyone to get that done besides some on the elections board and those who work there. It’s not going to get done quickly.

The 2006 decision by the county commissioners to buy the former Southside Hospital for county offices at the renamed Oakhill Renaissance Place was highly controversial and pushed by a cadre consisting of those who thought — and probably still think — they’re the smartest people in any given room.

Millions of dollars have been spent for upkeep of the 124-year-old building that loses money each year with no hope of ever being a useful structure. In 2025, repairs, maintenance, utilities and other related costs at Oakhill were $1,031,255. In 2024, those costs were $931,280.

The building doesn’t look any better with all of that money put into it.

An elections board resolution, passed 3-1 on March 3, states Oakhill “is in materially deficient and hazardous condition, including but not limited to the lack of potable water for employees and unsafe building conditions, and such conditions materially impair the board’s ability to safely and effectively conduct elections and fulfill its statutory obligations.”

The commissioners suggested a proposed $60 million county government facility to be built at the former Eastern Gateway Community College in downtown Youngstown as the board’s new home. But elections officials have ruled it out. They say there won’t be enough parking spaces there for voters, a location for drive-up voters, among other concerns.

In late March, county commissioners wrote to board Director Tom McCabe that under Ohio law it’s the board’s responsibility to select a building for its new location and propose a lease. The commissioners are then required to review that lease within 30 days and accept or reject it based on budgetary reasons.

The commissioners added: “We strongly urge and implore the board of elections to remain within the city of Youngstown, particularly in or near downtown Youngstown.”

At the time of sending that letter, the elections board was discussing leasing the Patriot Building in Austintown, a former call center off state Route 46, for its offices from the Western Reserve Port Authority.

Leaving Youngstown has also been strongly opposed by several others who speak against such a move at board of elections and county commissioners meetings.

At the April 2 county commissioners meeting, Youngstown Mayor Derrick McDowell said his administration would do all it could to keep the board in the city and work to find locations.

On April 9, just a week later, elections board officials toured the former Bottom Dollar grocery store, vacant since 2015, on Glenwood Avenue on the city’s South Side.

They came away impressed with the building and put it at the top of the list for the board’s future home.

But much is required before a move can occur.

Elections board Chairman David Betras said architectural renderings are needed. Of greater importance are deals to be worked out regarding the building.

The elections board cannot own the building so it wants the port authority to purchase it – or better yet, be gifted it by the city — and then the board can sign a 15-year lease with the WRPA, Betras said.

“It comes down to dollar bills,” Betras said. “If the numbers are right with Bottom Dollar, I’d recommend it. But we have to see what the numbers come out to be.”

Those negotiations haven’t started with the city.

Betras said he’s talked to Anthony Trevena, WRPA’s executive director, and he is enthusiastic about the project.

A WRPA spokesman said: “The port’s engagement with the BOE is solely to help them find a site that fits their needs, both physically and financially. We have no bias for or against any specific location.”

County Commissioner Geno DiFabio said that Betras quickly turned from wanting to go to Austintown to now favoring Youngstown.

DiFabio said he’s taking a wait-and-see approach.

As for the Bottom Dollar location, DiFabio said, “We need to see a lease. The port authority needs to know what money they have to put into it, and then we’ll proceed. Until they’re given a lease, we’ll wait. It has to be within budget.”

We still have a long way to go.

David Skolnick covers politics for the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator.