Resident urges $12 million audit of Boyne City water-sewer project, cites property damage and unfinished work

Derek Schroeder, who said he lives at 910 East Main Street, urged Boyne City commissioners to order an audit of the city's $12,000,000 water and sewer project, citing what he described as repeated missteps during construction. "We were told if you sign up ahead of time, you're gonna save hundreds, if not thousands," Schroeder said, adding the work that followed contradicted that promise.

Schroeder told the commission crews ignored homeowner requests about where service leads should be placed, and that his house now has a connection located "right under the wife's car." He also said dust control was provided only after repeated complaints and that final paving and backfill work remains incomplete, leaving ditches and gravel-filled easements he said will take years to recover. "They poured millions into this project, and there's nothing to show for it right now," Schroeder said.

In his remarks, Schroeder called for greater management oversight and accountability, saying he had frequent direct contact with the project's engineer and that communication from some contractors had ceased. "I would hope that there's an audit on this project for $12,000,000," he said.

Commissioners did not take immediate action during the public comment period but acknowledged the concerns and staff later described ongoing efforts to compile a checklist of incomplete items, hold the contractor to a scheduled walkthrough, and pursue contractor remediation and fines where appropriate. City Manager Sam Dimel said the city is tracking punch-list items and will schedule a June 30 walkthrough to assess substantial completion.

The commission did not set a date for an audit during the meeting; staff said they are compiling lists of unfinished work and will follow up with residents who report damage.