By Hunter Bassler | 12 News
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Editor’s note: The above video aired during a previous broadcast.
Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega was shaking hands, mingling and even signing autographs at a Super Bowl event in the city’s historic neighborhood on Thursday.
Ortega quickly stopped his moseying when questioned about an ongoing water crisis in a nearby unincorporated community.
“I’m headed back to the office right now,” he said at the mention of Rio Verde Foothills, starting to walk away from ESPN’s Historic Old Town Main Street Tailgate.
The mayor has stayed adamant since Jan. 1 on his decision to no longer allow water haulers supplying the Foothills access to the city’s water supply.
But, a bill going through the state’s legislature may make Ortega’s decision obsolete.
HB2561, which would essentially force Scottsdale to reopen its standpipe to the area’s water haulers, passed the Arizona House Natural Resources, Energy & Water committee on Tuesday. The bill now heads to House discussion.
