The Belmont County sheriff said the jail could potentially close in an effort to trim spending.

Sheriff Fred Thompson said sending inmates to other counties and paying their room and board would save the county money.

"I don't think it is in the far distant future at this point. It will be sooner rather than later," Thompson said.

He said he will continue cutting costs and work with the budget he was given. Wednesday, the first round of layoffs took effect and 10 part-time workers at the office are now gone.

"Right now it's leaving the road deputies short, courthouse security short," Thompson said.

The latest round of layoffs will soon take away dispatchers, which Thompson said will complicate matters more.

A Belmont County commissioner said the possibility of closing the jail was previously discussed and it is not an idea the commissioners support.

The commissioner said it could cost the county more to transport the inmates elsewhere.

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