Tommy Humbert, Delaware County highway department engineer, told commissioners Jan. 5 that crews found unpermitted trenches cut immediately adjacent to travel lanes by an AT&T subcontractor and flagged the work as a safety hazard.

"They put sand over their line. Then we're gonna put concrete and we're gonna bring concrete on out for like the burn," Humbert said while describing required repairs and his expectation that the contractor will comply. He said he had emailed the company and was scheduled to meet with AT&T engineering the following morning to require a proper backfill, base and concrete repair.

Humbert urged the county to pursue stiffer penalties for unpermitted work in county rights‑of‑way, suggesting a daily fine of $500 until proper permits are in place. Commissioners asked the county engineer and legal counsel to research comparable penalties used by other counties and to draft recommended ordinance language and penalty structures.

Why it matters: Unpermitted utility work beside recently paved roads can undermine new roadway investments and create public‑safety hazards for motorists. The county’s enforcement approach could affect how telecom and pipeline companies schedule and execute work within Delaware County rights‑of‑way.

Staff follow-up: County engineer Dean Thomas will work with legal to draft a recommended ordinance, compare penalties with peer counties, and report back at a future meeting. Humbert also reported ongoing communications about a potential memorial mile on I‑69 tied to county recognition plans.

Quote: "I think we need to have a stiff penalty on not getting a permit," Humbert said, arguing that fines would deter contractors from cutting newly paved shoulders and undermining county road investments.

Next steps: Legal and engineering will prepare draft language and a recommendation for commissioners to consider at a subsequent meeting.