First Published: Sept. 11, 2008
Using a color chart as his visual aide, Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino said efforts to turn Oakhill Renaissance Center into a government office complex are going to cost a lot more than officials originally projected.
Sciortino and his chief deputy, Carol McFall, took their claims to the airwaves and appeared on the Louie Free radio show. Sciortino, on the show, estimated the project to cost nearly $12.7 million.
Sciortino said supporters of the project have never addressed his concerns about it: "I asked for a budget. These things don't exist."
County Administrator George Tablack said Sciortinio "doesn't understand. Therein lies the problem."
Tablack said the building commission, which oversees the Oakhill project, has been completely transparent in its plans. Though plans have changed over time to meet the needs of tenants, he added.
Commissioners question Sciortino's motives, wondering whether his figures weren't timed to be political. They even asked if Sciortino actually put the charts together himself.
Sciortino said he and his deputy compiled the information using figures from the commissioners' office. Commissioners said they wish the auditor would do more to work with them instead of trying to undermine them.
