BELLAIRE — The Belmont County Clerk of Courts Office will be ending services at the branch Title Office located at 400 Imperial Plaza in Bellaire as of Tuesday.

This office had already been closed due to staffing issues related to medical events.

The change in operations is attributed to several factors. There has been a decline in the number of titles being processed at this location, which has been opened Tuesdays and Thursdays during the week. The staffing of this location has been handled by dispatching a clerk from the title office in St. Clairsville to cover the hours of operation at the satellite office, causing a shortage of personnel at the St. Clairsville office.

“With budget restraints and this office striving to conserve taxpayer monies and to be fiscally responsible, the number of titles being processed two days a week at the branch office does not warrant an increase in the work force,” Clerk of Courts Cynthia Fregiato announced in a news release.

Additionally, the main Title Office moved its location in July from downtown St. Clairsville to National Road East outside the city, which now has easy access from Interstate 70. Windows for counter service and added parking have made the main office more convenient for customers and auto dealers seeking services.

Finally, the title branch office is located at Imperial Plaza in a county facility that also houses Northern and Eastern Division county courts. With plans calling for the county to move the courts from this facility, the closing of those offices would present a safety concern for the title office staff. The branch office of the Title Department would be the only remaining office at that facility, until another entity moves into that location. Also, the closing of the branch would free up the entire building, making the sale or rental of the Imperial Plaza location more lucrative to the county and more appealing to prospective tenants.

The Belmont County Title Office is located at 52180 National Road East, St. Clairsville, and the hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The office can be reached at 740-695-5406.

“We appreciate and thank you in advance for your understanding and look forward to continually serving you at our St. Clairsville office,” Fregiato wrote.

Those with questions should call Fregiato at 740-695-2121, ext. 1034.