FRANKLIN COUNTY — The Franklin County Board opened and discussed bids for construction of the new Franklin County Courthouse in Benton at a special meeting Thursday afternoon.

Board Chairman Randall Crocker says there were six bids all within budget. Crocker says he was very pleased with the bids and the contractors who chose to participate.

Crocker says the winning bid won’t be announced until some vetting processes are done. The County Board is expected to award the bid when it meets on Aug. 18.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, board members discussed the situation with the County Highway Building and what they would like to see in new building that will replace the one a fire destroyed earlier this year. No action was taken on this item or the one approving a lease/purchase with SI Bank for a sheriff’s van and cell insert cage at the meeting.

Those two items plus more discussion regarding the courthouse and an agreement with Emling & Hoffman, P.C. for November 30, 2020 through November 30, 2022 audits are on the agenda for the County Board’s meeting Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Tino’s on the Tee Banquet Room located at the Rend Lake Golf Course in Whittington.