YOUNGSTOWN - The Mahoning County Board of Elections tabled the idea of getting an attorney to sue the County Commissioners in a meeting Tuesday.

The board has been long asking to move to a new building and considered a lawsuit to try and speed up the process.

“Until I set my hair on fire nothing got done and I don't want to just have a meeting and then in a year from now we’re in the same place,” David Betras, the Chairman of the Mahoning County Board of Elections said. 

“I don't know what the end result will be with a lawsuit nobody wins,” Anthony Traficanti, Mahoning County Commissioner said. 

Traficanti said they are looking into possible new buildings or other options to help the board of elections.

“This is something that's going to take time,” Commissioner Traficanti said. “You just don't find a building, you don't just pick somebody up and move.”

A new building would need to have at least 22,000 square feet and a large parking lot to meet the needs of the board.

The current building on Oak Hill Avenue does not meet compliances with the Secretary of State's Office. Certain security requirements like the alarm system on the door where voters enter to early vote are not up to standard. However, the board will get a pass and be able to hold early voting there this November.

“We’ve done what we could and the secretary of state has given us some latitude on that so we have put in temporary security provisions,” Betras said. 

The board has previously said the building is subjecting workers to poor conditions. Employees had to be evacuated in March because of a smell. Melissa Wasko, the Deputy Director of the BOE said employees had to work in the sweltering heat for three weeks when the air condition went out this summer.

Betras was the most boisterous member of the board asking to look into getting an attorney. Other members like Lisa Robinson felt they should wait until after they have a few more meetings with the commissioners to see if they need to go the legal route. 

Some board members said they are seeing progress in talks which was a big factor into why they are holding off on contacting an attorney. 

Traficanti would not say if they have a specific building in mind to possibly move the BOE too but would welcome the board bringing them suggestions.

“That has been the board of elections going on 17 years so I don’t believe that building is in any dire need to have to move them out today,” Traficanti said. 

Possible locations lightly thrown out by members at the meeting included the Old Bottom Dollar, Sparkle Market, Chill Can Plant or current Post Office in Youngstown. Many of those ideas were shut down because of space or occupancy issues. 

Betras said he wants to see the BOE stay in Youngstown but hasn’t seen a property that they can utilize. Tom McCabe, the BOE director said they will not be moving to the downtown Youngstown area because of the lack of parking.

Betras said if he doesn't see "substantial movement" from the commissioners by November the board will once again consider hiring an attorney.

“They need to make this a priority and I’m going to make sure they make it a priority,” he said. "We'll know by November how serious they are."