By Sasha Hupka | Arizona Republic
Northeast Valley residents searching for water won’t find a solution in creating a water taxing district as the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted down the proposal on Wednesday.
The water issue has divided residents of Rio Verde Foothills, which is near Scottsdale and falls outside any city’s boundaries as an unincorporated area of the county.
More than 50 residents had made the hourlong drive to downtown Phoenix earlier this week for last-ditch appeals to county supervisors. The residents fall into two camps: those who supported creating a water district and those who would rather contract with a private company.
Supervisor Tom Galvin, who represents the area, said he had “concerns about the long-term viability of the (water district) and its board” and was not convinced the potential costs of the district to the community had been fully addressed.
Instead, he said he would vote “no” in hopes of contracting with a private company through the Arizona Corporation Commission.
“I make a promise that I will continue to fight for the Rio Verde Foothills community,” Galvin said.
Time is ticking for Galvin and the community to nail down a solution. Scottsdale intends to cut off its water to the community at the end of the year.
