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Landowners urge pause on Midwest Trail planning; county surveyor and others flag spending and notice concerns
Summary
Multiple St. Joseph County landowners urged the commissioners to pause Midwest Trail/Continental Divide Commission work, citing lack of notice, possible eminent domain authority in the enabling act and more than $555,618 in alleged spending; one online commenter spoke in favor of continuing the project.
At the June 9 St. Joseph County commissioners meeting several landowners urged county officials to pause work related to the Midwest Trail (Midwest Continental Divide Commission), saying affected property owners were not sufficiently notified and raising financial and legal concerns.
Brent Burkus, a farm owner, told the board that "the farmers and adjacent land owners were never notified about any of this" and alleged stakeholders met without landowners present. He warned that unregulated public trails are "incompatible" with restricted‑use pesticides on farmland and cited recent thefts and trespass on his property, urging an operational pause on the commission until landowners can meet with county officials.
Derek Deer, St. Joseph County surveyor, said he had emailed commissioners and asked for follow‑up, and he claimed "up to this date, there's been very limited actual citizen participation" and that more than "$555,618 and change has been spent." Deer said he itemized invoices that raised questions about project management and public participation line items and requested a meeting to review the documents.
Randy Matthysse, another landowner, criticized the speed of the legislative process that produced Senate Act 468 and asked how county seats will be represented on the five‑member commission. He said it was unclear why city representatives could have a role in county routing decisions and raised concerns the act includes eminent domain authority for trail easements.
Not all speakers opposed the effort. Steve Francis, participating online, said he supported continuing the project (which he called the "Midwest Preserve") and noted state funding potential "$2 million from the state for every year for 20 years," while urging transparency and public input. Francis said land takings would be illegal and that landowners should be offered compensation where appropriate.
No formal action was taken on the trail at the meeting; commissioners recessed and then adjourned after public comment. Commissioners did not announce any vote or directive on the Midwest Trail during the session.
