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Fulton County Council tables Mud Lake drainage spending, asks DNR and contractor to explain delays and costs
Summary
After repeated invoices and additional field work requests, the council voted to table a $30,000 appropriation for Mud Lake engineering until the contractor and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources explain permitting requirements, why more geotechnical "shots" are needed and what the remaining steps and costs will be.
Council members on Feb. 17 voted to table an additional appropriation for engineering work at Mud Lake and asked county staff to invite the contractor and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to explain outstanding costs and permitting requirements at next month's meeting.
Seth, a council member, told the council the project has been active since 2024 and that invoices from the contractor (referred to in the meeting as DCCM or RKDev) contained incorrect numbers and repeated requests for additional field "shots". "They kept sending us the incorrect number on their invoice," Seth said, and added that the contractor later submitted an updated invoice showing January billing the council had not expected.
Members expressed frustration that state regulators appear to be requiring more technical work before plans will be approved. "DNR says we have to do it. Why is I mean, why?" Seth asked, summarizing county staff's repeated requests for clarity. Pete, another council member, said the body representing taxpayers deserved answers about the end game and the total cost: "As a council representing the taxpayers, we have a right to know what the end game is. What's the cost gonna be? When are you gonna be satisfied?"
The council chair moved to table the $30,000 appropriation for engineering fees until representatives from the contractor and the DNR could appear and explain outstanding work and fees. The motion passed unanimously.
The council also passed a separate motion asking county staff to contact the contractor and DNR and request they attend the council's March meeting. Seth said he would attempt to arrange and document those conversations in writing and email summaries back to the council ahead of March, so members "are ahead of the game." The chair noted the item affects a roughly 10-acre lake and that residents deserve a clear timeline and explanation.
Next steps: staff will attempt to schedule the DNR and the contractor for the council's March meeting and will circulate any written responses or invoices submitted in advance.
