Commissioners mull moving agencies to the half-full Oakhill Renaissance Place

Commissioners mull moving agencies to the half-full Oakhill Renaissance Place

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County commissioners voted this morning to borrow $2.5 million for further renovations at Oakhill Renaissance Place, including possible renovations to accommodate a move of the county commissioners’ and prosecutor’s offices from the county administration building to Oakhill.

John A. McNally IV, chairman of the commissioners, said the commissioners are considering moving their office and the prosecutor’s office because the county needs to more fully use the Oakhill building, which is now only half full. The commissioners are considering moving from Austintown to county administration building the land-related agencies, such as the building inspection department and the planning commission.

He noted that the county administration building is adjacent to the courthouse, where the county’s land records and the agencies dealing with them are located.

To improve the county’s ability to borrow money at favorable interest rates, the commissioners agreed to put 60 percent of tax revenues from Ohio’s new casinos into a general-fund stabilization reserve, which they hope to build to $8.1 million for 15 percent of annual general-fund spending.

The other 40 percent would go for general-fund operations.

The county expects to get about $450,000 in casino tax revenue next year, said Carol McFall, chief deputy county auditor.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com