Days after expressing confidence that a contract agreement was close, Jacksonville Transportation Authority officials are still trying to put the finishing touches on a new agreement with its bus drivers union.

On Tuesday afternoon, JTA officials conceded there was no contract agreement and it might be a week before an agreement is finalized.

Spokeswoman Wendy Morrow said the delay is due to taking all the negotiated items and writing them down into a summary form.

Once everything is written, both sides will need to review it to make sure it corresponds to what they agreed upon, Morrow said.

It's hoped that both sides can agree without another face-to-face negotiating session, but that remains a possibility if a point of contention arises, she said.

St. Johns burn ban will continue another week

After consideration of current fire conditions, St. Johns County Commissioners authorized the county administrator to extend a burn ban for the county effective today. Significant rainfall is not expected in the area for at least another seven days, meaning drought conditions will not improve. The burn ban will remain active for seven days.

The ban is for all residential outdoor burning, including the burning of leaves and yard debris, fireworks, campfires, flares or other outdoor burning devices. Types of burning still allowed are limited to campfires located within a metal ring, and only if they are located within a state park or licensed campground. In addition, cooking fires within a barbecue grill, hibachi or other similar device specifically intended for cooking are still permitted.

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