THE RELOCATION of Belmont County offices is continuing, and we view that as a very good move.

The old Thoburn church in St. Clairsville, located behind the county courthouse, has housed several public agencies, such as the St. Clairsville Senior Center and The Ohio State Extension Office as well as the Belmont County Soil and water Conservation District.

The former Thoburn church facility, which is now owned be the county, will welcome more tenants by the end of the year following action by county commissioners Wednesday.

Currently, several county agencies are renting space at a Main Street facility in St. Clairsville. Such rental payments are a drain on county coffers.

But a steady migration of county offices have exited that St. Clairsville building, one being the Belmont County Veterans Service Commission, relocating to the former Allison Mills Center in Bellaire. That move proved a win-win scenario, as the county saved money while the All-American Town made use of an otherwise dormant downtown building.

The county commissioners have overseen renovation of the old church into workable office space. The refurbished building has since been dubbed “Courthouse Annex III.”

Annex III will now make it possible to close the doors on Main Street rental space by year’s end. Such a relocation will also leave behind some $54,000 in annual rental fees, not to mention utility costs. We view that as a handsome savings and a prudent move by the commissioners.

Belmont County commissioners have been forced to operate in a restrictive financial environment. To their credit, they have done a superb job of cutting expenses.