The Warren County Courthouse building is a wonderful old building that brings a certain degree of charm to local government services.

It’s a perfect introduction to Warren County for those who haven’t spent much time here. As is the case with any building built in 1876, or with additions built in 1925, Warren County’s Courthouse requires regular maintenance — and the time has come to grit our teeth and do some needed work on the building.

County commissioners recently heard recommendations to spend $900,000 to paint everything below the roofline as well as brick and masonry repairs to repair cracks and technical structural concerns, work on the concrete steps on the Fourth Avenue side of the courthouse and repairs to the courthouse ceiling, which was stained due to a roof leak, brick repair and exterior cleaning on the jail portion of the building.

Commissioners were right to take a couple of weeks to review the project before making a decision.

But it’s a project that should be approved. Delaying this regular maintenance will just result in a bigger bill in the future.