South Bend Mayor James Mueller has vetoed a nonbinding Common Council resolution dealing with the proposed Midwest Continental Divide Trail Commission.

Mueller says he refused to sign Bill 26-21 because, in his words, it contains false and misleading claims that undermine the city’s legislative process. He says the resolution has no legal authority and argues it was filed without following the Council’s normal legal review procedures.

The mayor also disputes several claims in the resolution, saying state law already protects local control over zoning and land use, the trail commission has no eminent domain authority, and any zoning or eminent domain actions within city limits would still require Common Council approval.

Mueller also says a 2026 state law already clarified and reinforced local control, making additional legislative changes unnecessary.