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Delaware County board declares emergency after contractor strikes Allen Creek forced main
Summary
The Delaware County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Jan. 15, 2026, declaring an emergency after a contractor struck a forced sewer main between the Allen Creek pump station and the treatment plant and authorized the county administrator to negotiate repair contracts.
The Delaware County Board of Commissioners declared an emergency Jan. 15, 2026, after officials said a contractor struck a forced main between the Allen Creek pump station and the county treatment plant overnight. The board approved a resolution authorizing the county administrator to negotiate and approve contracts to make the necessary repairs.
Deputy administrator and counsel Eric Hostet told the board he had received a call from Eric McPeek of the sewer district that a forced main "between the Allen Creek pump station and the plant, was struck by a contractor last night." Hostet said staff have identified the parts needed for repair and must engage a contractor to complete emergency work.
"He has already identified the necessary parts to make the repair and just needs to engage a contractor to make the emergency repair," Hostet said, according to the board record. He added the county did not yet know final cost figures and that he believed the contract "will actually be less than the competitive bidding threshold," but asked the board to approve a resolution that would cover the work even if costs exceeded the county administrator's authority.
The resolution before the board would (1) declare an emergency because of physical damage to county infrastructure and (2) authorize the county administrator to negotiate and approve any contracts required to address the repair. The board proceeded to a motion, which was made and seconded, followed by a roll call vote on the motion identified in the record as "motion 26-31."
Board members Benton, Merrill and Lewis each recorded "Aye," and the resolution passed unanimously. After the vote, the presiding speaker said the action "gives Tracy the authority we need to fix this, make this repair." The board had no further business and adjourned.
The record does not include a contractor name, a final cost estimate, or a timeline for completing repairs. Officials said parts have been identified and staff will engage a contractor under the authority granted by the resolution.
