Carbon County officials are continuing to look for ways to ease an overcrowding issue several county offices have within the courthouse.

Last week, the board of commissioners approved a proposal with Person Agency for an appraisal at a building at 525 Iron St., in Lehighton Borough, at the cost of $950. The building is the same site the county appraised last year for temporary rental for additional courtroom space but didn’t move forward.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said the action is an expansion of the initial appraisal.

“We’re continuing to look at all options in regards to meeting the space requirements of the county to include looking at buildings that would afford that space that is needed,” he said.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that the county is out of space in the courthouse and the pandemic amplified the problem in several offices that need more space.

The commissioners will continue to look at possible solutions in the coming months, even as additional office is being constructed within the 44 and 76 Susquehanna St. buildings.

The county has also been leasing space from Jim Thorpe Area School District in its former administration building at 410 Center Ave.

Several departments, including the elections bureau and planning and development have relocated temporarily to this site.

Last week, the commissioners amended its lease agreement to add an additional 402 square feet of space in the administration building at $10 per square foot, with additional use of the gymnasium, board room and girl’s locker room as needed.