Charlotte County reports surge in contractor strikes to underground utilities

Joanne Vernon, county engineer, told commissioners the county has seen a notable rise in right‑of‑way permits and directional drilling crews and that the scale of the work increases the risk of utility strikes.

"As of April 30 this year, the county has already processed 11 97 Utility Right of Way Permits, with 4 83 of these going to the fiber companies," Vernon said, noting fiber firms account for a large share of permits processed to date.

Staff described common causes of strikes — missed potholing, faded locate flags, subcontractor haste — and outlined steps the county has taken: reviewing permit applications, requiring contractor registration, assigning engineering inspectors, requiring potholing before bore work, mandating supervisors per crew, suspending crews or banning firms in severe cases, documenting hits for later recovery and meeting with firm executives to raise expectations.

Commissioners described constituent reports of private water and sewer lines damaged by crews and pressed staff on whether homeowners are protected. County attorneys said Florida law constrains additional permit fees but allows enforcement mechanisms and statutory damages in many cases; staff said they will provide contractor identification and records so homeowners can pursue vendor claims and the county can pursue cost recovery when it is the direct victim.