During their regular meeting Thursday, Mahoning County commissioners welcomed the newest tenant for Oakhill Renaissance Place.
Ohio One Stop will be opening a satellite office inside the facility on Youngstown's lower South Side.
One Stop will be using space now taken by Job and Family Services and will reimburse the department, but the county won't receive any additional rent.
According to figures supplied by the county auditor's office, since buying Oakhill in 2006, more than $7 million from the general fund have been spent on utilities, maintenance and other expenses compared to just over $5 million in rent, reimbursements and other income.
Auditor Mike Sciortino claims in addition to "a $2 million operating loss in the general fund," the county "already floated a bond" for $5.3 million.
The bond Sciortino was referring to was sold soon after Oakhill was purchased to pay for building improvements. So far, almost $3 million of that has been spent. While Commissioner Anthony Traficanti said his goal is to add new rent-paying tenants, the first priority is moving other agencies and departments into Oakhill.
"Whatever space is left over, we would like to bring some paying individuals in there," said Traficanti. "Believe me, they've been calling us and they're looking to move into the building."
But Sciortino argued the county is in a budget crisis right now with departments already cutting back their spending.
Traficanti said the county's recycling division, better known to some as the Green Team, should be moving into Oakhill soon, followed by the board of elections, which could go in later this year.
He said the county is also urging the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force to move in, which would pay rent for its space.
