FRANKLIN COUNTY — Franklin County Board Chairman Randall Crocker says he plans to call a special meeting early next week to get things rolling on Franklin County’s new courthouse in Benton and complete renovations to the Campbell Building for the Franklin County Clerk and Treasurer’s office.

Franklin County voters passed a one percent sales tax referendum for the project Tuesday with 3,945 voting yes and 2,873 voting no. The sales tax will generate revenue for the courthouse project and will last no longer than 15 years. It will sunset when the courthouse is paid off.

Crocker says the county will look at hiring an architect for the estimated $17 million project and go from there. Crocker added the county will have to notify the state Department of Revenue about increasing the sales tax in Franklin County and contacting retailers. This won’t happen until the election is certified on April 16.

It’s unknown at this time if the county will be able to build its new courthouse on the present site on the Benton Square or in another location. Crocker says he is looking into employing some title companies to see what the county exactly owns before a decision is made.

As for a timetable when construction will get underway, Crocker says he would like to see it start  sooner than later.

Crocker says the county must do things correctly when it comes to engineering and architectural work. Crocker would love to be able to start construction this fall but feels he’s a little too optimistic and there’s a lot of work to do.

Crocker is hoping that the County Clerk and Treasurer’s office will move to the Campbell Building and the Circuit Clerk’s office and courts will move to the vacant antique store building on the east side of the square within four months from now.

The county will pay $2,000 in rent each month to Bryan and Christen Drew, who own the building. It will be temporarily converted for the courts and the Circuit Clerk’s office until the new courthouse is ready.

As for when Franklin County could move into its new courthouse, Crocker says….

Regarding Tuesday’s vote for the courthouse project, Crocker, in his opinion, is very pleased with the voters and how they studied this issue in order to make a very good decision. Crocker plans to incorporate a lot of outside people and not just the county board in making decisions for the new courthouse. Crocker says he’s excited about getting the project started and producing something the county will be very proud to have.