BENTON – There’s going to be a new courthouse in Franklin County.

Franklin County voters Tuesday approved a one percent sales tax to raise revenue for construction of a new county courthouse in Benton and to complete renovations to the Campbell Building to accommodate the offices of the Franklin County Clerk and Treasurer. The vote was 3,945 voting yes while 2,873 voted no.

The increase in sales tax will be for a period not to exceed 15 years and will sunset when the courthouse is paid off. The new courthouse will replace the current structure that was built in 1875 and is suffering from a long list of physical and structural problems and security issues.

The sales tax referendum for a new courthouse had been tried twice in recent years only to fail both times.

In the Benton Mayor’s race, incumbent Fred Kondritz defeated challenger Roy Simpkins 784 to 479.

For Benton City Council, Lee Messersmith, Don Storey, Cathy Ann Garavalia and Ian Zane Perkins were elected. City Commissioners Dennis Miller, Ronnie Baumgarte and Don Wyant did not seek reelection.

In West Frankfort, incumbent Mayor Tom Jordan defeated City Commissioner Oakley “Ed” Blades 730 to 666.

In the McLeansboro Alderman race, in Ward 1 Mike Scattone and Billy D. Glenn tied at 82 votes while Joseph Ray Kaufman got 70 votes. Scattone or Glenn will replace Mark Beck who is retiring at the end of his term. McLeansboro City Clerk Fred Vallowe says there is one provisional vote out. When/If that person brings in proof of residency this morning, the vote will be counted. If that vote doesn’t break the tie, then the County Clerk will draw the winner at a special meeting sometime prior to the first regular meeting of the May City Council.

In Ward 2, incumbent Donald L. Cox won reelection with 78 votes to 70 votes for Thomas E. Murk.

In Ward 3, Dale E. Biggerstaff beat incumbent Mike Stanart. Biggerstaff got 83 votes and Mike Stanart received 74 votes.

In the Hamilton County Unit 10 School Board race, incumbents Tim Millenbine and Dennis Doc Lynch won reelection. Millenbine got 831 votes. Lynch got 796 votes. Justin Woodrow also won a seat on the school board with 809 votes. Kayla Hamson came in last with 557 votes.