FRANKLIN COUNTY — Franklin County residents still have some opportunities left to hear what county officials have to say about the proposed new Franklin County Courthouse in Benton and the one percent sales tax referendum that will generate revenue for courthouse construction and nothing else if passed on April 2.

A town hall meeting on these issues will be held tonight at 6 at the West Frankfort Mall Event Center.

Remaining town halls are set for Tuesday, March 12 at the Coello Community Center, Thursday, March 14 at the Zeigler Fire Station and Tuesday, March 19 at the Sesser Community Building. All three meetings will start at 6 p.m.

The current courthouse was built in the 1870s and needs to be replaced due to many physical and structural problems. The sales tax would sunset once the courthouse is paid off.

When the Franklin County Board passed the resolution in December for the sales tax referendum, the board said the preliminary price tag on this project would fall somewhere in the $15 to $20 million range.