By Sasha Hupka | Arizona Republic
The newly appointed members of the Rio Verde Foothills Standpipe District — all residents of the unincorporated community where people rely on hauled or well water — estimated that their first meeting would last around an hour and a half, with plenty of time for public comment.
Instead, the meeting wrapped up within roughly 40 minutes, a departure from the norm for a community that has regularly experienced hours-long gatherings where factions intensely debated the potential solutions to their water woes.
Thursday evening’s meeting was largely organizational for the leaders of the standpipe district, a new government entity established in June by state lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs. But it represented a shift in tone for the community, which has long been divided over how to get water, especially since Scottsdale cut off its supply at the start of the year.
Some community members now say they’re ready to set aside their differences as negotiating a temporary solution to their water supply problem shifts from the hands of politicians to those of Rio Verde Foothills residents.
“The fighting’s over,” said Rio Verde Foothills homeowner Christy Jackman. “That’s the key right there. It’s in these guys’ hands.”
