Carbon County officials are eyeing a property that may work for additional office space.

On Thursday, the commissioners voted to approve a letter of intent with a potential purchase of a property on East Fourth Street in Jim Thorpe. Previously, the commissioners hired The Person Agency Inc. of Lehighton to do an appraisal of the 4,000-square-foot property, which is the former Dollar Store.County solicitor Daniel Miscavige said the letter of intent allows the county to move forward with inspections to see if the property is something the county would like to pursue.The commissioners also voted to approve a proposal with Seitz Brothers Inc. for asbestos sampling and testing at the property, at a cost of $1,249.Commissioners' Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that the building, if purchased, would be used for additional office space.There are a number of county departments that are outgrowing their current offices, and the county has been looking to alleviate this problem since last March. Currently, space in the courthouse, courthouse annex and Susquehanna Street buildings is very limited."We think the building has a lot of potential," Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard said.In other matters, the commissioners approved the following personnel items:• Hire Rudy O. Lopez of Allentown as a limited term aging care manager II, Area Agency on Aging, effective May 1.• Hire Alex S. Steigerwalt of Jim Thorpe as a lifeguard, Mauch Chunk Lake Park, effective May 23.• Change the status of Joshua J. Jacobs of Nesquehoning from part-time dispatcher to 911 operator at the 911 Communications Center, effective May 12.• Change the status of Mark R. Ruch of Lehighton from part-time dispatcher to 911 operator at the 911 Communications Center, effective May 11.