Sunman council approves first reading of ordinance to enforce 811 call‑before‑you‑dig rules

Council members considered Ordinance 2026‑10 to provide local enforcement for 811 call‑before‑you‑dig requirements. The ordinance lays out enforcement tools — including stop‑work orders, fines and recovery of costs for damages and emergency response — and designates authorized agents such as utility department employees and the town marshal for enforcement.

Members discussed ticket expiration and renewal windows (typically about 14 days), excavation thresholds (when a ticket is required versus when agriculture is exempt), and the degree to which town staff could immediately issue stop‑work orders. One council member summarized enforcement authority as including the town marshal, the clerk‑treasurer, any elected official or any designated agent of the town.

After discussion, one member moved and another seconded to approve the ordinance for its first reading and to proceed with the formal reading process required for ordinance adoption. The transcript records the motion and second; the vote tally was not recorded in the transcript. The ordinance will return for a second reading and formal adoption at a later meeting if council chooses to proceed.