Floyd County officials and Lumos representatives discussed a series of equipment strikes and a stop-work order during the July 1 commissioners meeting; commissioners agreed to allow limited, non-drilling work with county oversight while the company implements corrective measures.

Nick (county permits staff) told the board the county had nine active Lumos permits to lay fiber and that, after reports of utility strikes and complaints, the county issued a stop-work order on June 5. The county reinstated work June 23 after Lumos produced a plan of action but reinstated the stop-work order on June 27 after an unreported water-line strike and other complaints.

Darren Stout, a Lumos representative, told commissioners the company “take[s] ownership of all the strikes” and said the contractor that struck a water line failed to pothole a clearly marked line; the crew was removed from the project. Stout said the water outage lasted roughly seven hours and affected a “fair number of residents.” He said Lumos is tracking and investigating all incidents, that some alleged strikes were caused by other operators and that the company has started monthly safety meetings and neighborhood pre-construction outreach.

County staff and commissioners pushed for clearer, faster communication, self-reporting and an operational slowdown. Commissioner Al (full name not specified) urged Lumos to “slow down the drilling to, 10,000, 5,000 square, linear feet a week” and to let potholing and locating “get ahead.” Commissioner Sharp said he was not convinced Lumos had an action plan he could support and opposed allowing further drilling without more detail.

Commissioner Loop and others favored moving forward at a reduced pace. The practical result of the discussion was direction, not a formal recorded vote: Lumos was allowed to proceed with splicing and fiber-pulling activity that does not require additional drilling for the next day or two, with Nick assigned to provide oversight and to reassess whether drilling should resume. Commissioners also asked Lumos to make a local point of contact available; Stout provided his number for residents and staff.

Why this matters: The work affects resident water and utility service and raises public-safety risks when gas or water lines are struck. The county's conditional approval aims to balance completion of broadband infrastructure with stronger safety and communication controls.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to post an official notice of the limited work allowance so residents would know that some non-drilling activity would continue through the weekend and into Monday and to publicize the county contact for complaints and updates.