Commissioners agree to add burn ban resolution to next meeting after forestry briefing

During the workshop the board discussed whether to place a burn ban on the agenda for the upcoming regular meeting. Chairman and commissioners invited Donald Showalter, Chipola District supervisor for the Florida Forest Service, to brief the board on current conditions.

Showalter described the region’s dryness, citing recent La Niña‑related deficits and saying, “we're probably 22, 23 inches behind,” and warned that continued dry conditions could justify a formal burn ban. County officials noted neighboring counties had already adopted bans and that state forestry offices had asked why Jackson County had not.

After the briefing commissioners agreed to add a burn ban resolution to the regular meeting agenda for consideration and public input. No ban was imposed at the workshop; the board directed staff to include the resolution on the upcoming agenda so the issue can be formally considered with supporting data and any exceptions the board may wish to define.