Officials consider burn ban as drought and grants advance; ADA certification noted for Community Crossings application

County emergency-management and highway staff updated the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 18 about drought conditions, grant progress and preparations for a potential burn ban. Staff said they have drafted burn-ban paperwork based on National Weather Service data and would present it for signature if commissioners agree; they intend to provide a 48-hour courtesy buffer before enforcement. Clifton Falls State Park was cited as a cooperating partner that honors county burn bans. Highway and emergency staff reported continuing work on culverts, ditching, crack-sealing and equipment maintenance, and said the county had submitted its Title VI and ADA documentation in connection with the Community Crossings grant application. Staff said they had not yet heard back on some earlier grant submissions but that one Community Crossings application was under review; the transcript also records ongoing work with FEMA on mitigation and documentation for energy grant reimbursement. Officials discussed wildland-fire resources and mutual aid: the county has at least a dozen wildland-capable rigs and cross-agency mutual-aid agreements that allow rapid response. No formal county-wide burn ban resolution was recorded at the meeting; staff said they had prepared paperwork so the board could act if conditions warrant.