Residents, elected officials urge commissioners to hold public hearing on proposed move of election office to Austintown

Several residents, a Youngstown council member and a county official urged Mahoning County commissioners on May 29 to hold public hearings and reconsider plans to move the Board of Elections and other county offices to a county-owned building in Austintown.

Kenneth L. Simon, chairman of the Community Mobilization Coalition, said the proposal "has been proposed and is being pushed by the board of elections without any public hearings or input from the residents of the county that it would affect the most." He said the coalition represents 25 minority organizations and asked the commissioners to "reconsider this move, schedule public hearings on this matter, and respond to the Community Mobilization Coalition directly before a final decision is made."

The request drew similar concerns from Anita Davis, a Youngstown Sixth Ward member of city council, who told the commissioners: "If there's an idea to move this out of downtown Youngstown, it is so wrong." Davis said moving the office outside the city would risk "disenfranchis[ing] voters in the city of Youngstown who already have challenges with transportation." She urged the commissioners to invite the board of elections to a public hearing she plans to hold at the Newport Library.

Michael P. Sacone, who identified himself as "clerk of clerks," said he opposed moving county offices out of the county seat. "We are hemorrhaging county offices out of the county seat," he said, and noted the economic effect on Youngstown and potential loss of local income-tax revenue should county staff relocate. Sacone said the county's title-related fees -- held in the CTAF fund -- totalled approximately $2,056,000 and argued that keeping services in Youngstown supports local businesses and revenue.

Speakers from the public suggested alternative sites inside Youngstown, including the Nathaniel Jones Federal Building at 10 East Commerce Street; the WJ Cobb office tower on Fifth Avenue; the former Eastern Gateway Community College building; vacant school properties; and land adjacent to the county-owned OCO facility. Simon said he would submit a list of recommended sites to the commissioners.

Commissioners responded that no final decision has been made and that county officials are still reviewing options. One commissioner said the plan is "not definite, but it will be in the city if not new construction in the city," and emphasized that the county is assessing parking, access and suitability for multiple departments. The commissioners acknowledged resident concerns and said they would continue to evaluate options.

No formal vote or motion to relocate the Board of Elections was recorded in the meeting minutes provided; speakers and at least one commissioner described the matter as under consideration and not finalized.

The comments during public comment followed a week in which some commissioners had discussed the county's recently purchased Austintown building. Residents urged the commissioners to hold public hearings and to invite the board of elections to explain the rationale before any relocation occurs.