Following weeks of extreme dry weather, Lincoln Countysupervisors Monday approved a two-week burn ban for the county.

“The burn ban means no outside fires at all,” said LincolnCounty Civil Defense Coordinator Clifford Galey, who requested themeasure.

Galey said the supervisors’ order would be sent to the districtforester and then to the state forester for his approval.

“It’s just extremely dry right now, and the humidity is so low,”Galey said.

Galey said the National Weather Service had no indications ofany significant rainfall in the near future. The Brookhaven WasteWater Treatment Plant recorded 0.01 inches of rain Mondaynight.

“The lower the humidity, the higher the fire threat is,” Galeysaid.

Galey said he spoke with Sheriff Wiley Calcote Monday afternoonabout burn-ban enforcement. The first instance of a burn-banviolation would result in a warning, while a second would bring acitation.

“That’s what we’ve always done,” Galey said.

In other business Monday, supervisors, architect MichaelBarranco and engineer Carl Ray Furr discussed plans for using$500,000 in federal funds for government complex improvements.County officials are considering a new roof, air-conditioningupgrades , flooring replacements and entrance canopies.

Supervisors want to install a pitched roof. However, theestimate for one version was $306,000 while another was$117,300.

Barranco said some thought needed to go into how to install apitched roof.

“You still want to maintain the integrity of the building andmake it look like it was designed to go on,” Barranco said.

Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop questioned the possibility ofusing a high-density foam roofing material that was estimated atbetween $100,000 and $150,000. He indicated that could allow morecomplex improvements.

“The less money we spend on the roof, the more money we canspend on other things,” Bishop said.

Officials discussed the various aspects other the roof options.The metal pitched roof has an estimated 20-year span while theother option was for 10 years with a reapplication after thattime.

If the county wants to do a first-class upgrade, Furr suggestedthe county seek another federal appropriation. He said the countycould ask for $200,000-$300,000 more for the courthouseproject.

City and county officials are planning a trip to Washington nextweek to meet with congressional leaders and discuss funding forseveral local projects.