Marshall County Senior Citizens Center to Close

City officials announced Tuesday that the Marshall County Senior Citizens Board had voted unanimously to close.

Benton Mayor Rita Dotson commented on Facebook following the vote, stating that they were tired of fighting the funding issue like they have the past few years.  She noted, "This is a sad day for our wonderful, close knit community. If we can't extend a helping hand for our elderly that have blazed the path for our current and future generations then that speaks volumes for our integrity."

Board members had previously sent a letter to the Marshall Fiscal Court stating that if the budget were approved and the funds were cut, then there would be no choice but to lock the doors.

City and County governments have faced ballooning payments to the struggling Kentucky pension system over the last few years, which has strained funding for other parts of their budgets.

Kentucky legislators and Governor Matt Bevin have expressed a desire to pass legislation that would ease the burden on quasi-government agencies, but a special session has not yet been called.