The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday adopted preliminary resolutions establishing new fire districts in Palmyra and Willow Springs townships.

The commission received requests from both township boards asking to relinquish their control of their respective fire departments. The commission, in turn, would then appoint a new governing body to oversee those departments.

As part of the preliminary approval, the commission scheduled public hearings on May 14 for both townships.

Clint Hornberger, assistant fire chief of the Willow Springs Township Fire Department, said at the meeting the idea is to streamline management structure and create a governing body whose sole responsibility is its own fire department.

In other business, the commission:

• Extended the countywide burn ban for an additional two weeks, expiring April 30.

• Approved a conditional use permit compliance review for Hamms Eudora Quarry #68.