There was joy in something called “Dirtville.” You can’t call it Madville. Too dry.

Then, after days of bright optimism, hopes for a quick water solution were dashed in the Rio Valley Foothills (aka Dirtville).

At a meeting on Friday, March 3, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors forced a proposal that RVF residents appeared to have accepted to provide temporary water to the county island outside the northeastern boundary of the city of Scottsdale. refused to

The county officially slapped the City of Scottsdale and passed a resolution “Rejecting the City of Scottsdale’s intergovernmental agreement as unrealistic, inefficient and overly burdensome,” giving the City of Scottsdale a contract with EPCOR. asked to reach an agreement.

“And still no water,” yelled Karen Polari-Naviti, a Rio Verde resident, as she rushed out of the meeting.

And the highly personal political climate does not present a quick solution.

Several members of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors have criticized Scottsdale and its mayor, accusing the city’s elected officials of denying water to the Rio Verde Foothills for more than two months. Supervisor Thomas Galvin said, “David Ortega embarrassed us on the national stage. I’m not going to endorse it.” Supervisor Steve Gallardo said, “Scottsdale ‘s mayor needs to get off his little tall horse.”

The City of Scottsdale and Ortega responded in a joint statement:

“The Scottsdale City Council has unanimously approved a proposed agreement to help Maricopa County provide water to county residents in the Rio Verde Foothills.

“The City of Scottsdale recognizes that Maricopa County may have concerns about elements of its proposal, but rather than direct staff to work with the City on those concerns, Scottsdale Maricopa County is the local government of Rio Verde.Foothills and Today’s actions show they want to wash the problem and hold Scottsdale accountable to their voters. I am clarifying that

“If Maricopa County wants to re-engage with Scottsdale’s draft intergovernmental agreement, it remains on the table.”

In a statement, Ortega said: “I am disappointed that Superintendent Galvin continues to divert responsibility to me. On the contrary, I will continue to serve my voters and protect Scottsdale Water from those who take over our facilities. increase.”

At its February 21 meeting, the Scottsdale City Council voted unanimously on the agenda item “Temporary Water Supply Intergovernmental Agreement,” in what one city council member called “a big step forward,” before the Rio Valley Foothills Residents were cautiously excited.

Galvin immediately attacked the plan, claiming that “my plan is better” and referring to plans by the private utility EPCOR to supply Scottsdale with water.

In an email sent to Progress before the March 3 meeting, Ortega defended his plan and traced Galvin’s motives.

Scottsdale’s RVF plan is “comprehensive and will protect Scottsdale’s residents, businesses, schools and essential services,” Ortega argued, while Galvin called for a “healthy bite.” “It’s annoying…”

“And Galvin’s law firm represents two of the largest homebuilders in Rio Verde (Toll Brothers and Meritage),” said Ortega.

“I strongly suggest that he turn himself down completely. is needed.”

According to the law firm’s website, “Thomas Galvin is a partner at The Rose Law Group and his legal career has focused on serving homeowners, property owners, farmers, and small business owners. His legal practice focuses on land use, real estate, and water law.”

Rose Law Group’s list of “Representative Clients” includes Meritage, Toll Brothers, and other real estate developers.

Galvin told Progress that he was upset by Ortega’s remarks.

“My law firm does not represent builders trying to get a drop of water out of a standpipe, but I think Mayor Ortega already knew this,” Galvin said.

“Although Mayor Ortega remains committed to making false or misleading allegations against me, I am determined to help my increasingly desperate family get the water they desperately need. We remain committed to resolving this for the City of Scottsdale.”

Therefore, both sides seem to have dug deep trenches. At Friday’s post-meeting press conference, Galvin was asked what his next steps would be to provide water for his RFV. “I think Scottsdale needs to figure it out now,” he snapped.

Ten days ago, after decades of indirect service, a quick solution seemed very promising to residents of the Rio Verde Foothills, who cut off Scottsdale-provided water on January 1.

After thanking the City of Scottsdale at the Scottsdale City Council on February 21, Lee Harris said:

Cody Reim and Christy Jackman, co-leaders of RVF residents looking for water, were vigilant and grateful. They asked questions about the plan, but they were respectful.

A few days later the gloves came off.

Lyme was particularly furious when Scottsdale’s plan fell through, placing the blame directly on one person.

Calling Ortega a “dictatorial tyrant”, Lyme claimed that the private company EPCOR “has water in CAP and they are waiting for you to step off your throne and make a deal!”

“You might think you’re playing games, but what you’re doing is ruining people’s lives,” Reim yelled at Ortega on Facebook. “You are single-handedly destroying entire communities of Arizona residents.”

After Galvin scoffed at Scottsdale’s proposal, Jackman said it was “exactly the effect the city wanted. Now it’s the prefecture’s fault.”

Like Lime, she mentioned a proposed deal to use EPCOR water treated by Scottsdale, but Scottsdale’s proposal calls for 600 acre feet of water to be treated for the Rio Verde Foothills. subject to acquisition by the city.

“Scottsdale wasn’t even close to a safe deal,” Jackman posted on Facebook. “And their ‘plan’ was contingent on Scottsdale acquiring the water source. Double the usage. Scottsdale will have to reconsider an offer that has been under consideration since September.”

The Rio Valley Foothills, just outside Scottsdale’s northeastern boundary, have lost Scottsdale water after decades of indirect watering. That’s because the city shut down his stand his pipes that supplied water to the water supplier that supplies her more than 500 homes on his county island on January 1.

Scottsdale rejected various plans put forward by Rio Verde residents.

Later, Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays gave a favorable opinion that “the county oversight board has the authority to temporarily supply water to the residents of the county to maintain public health and hygiene.” Afterwards, Scottsdale made a plan, approved it, and, if so, evicted to the county.

In a letter emailed to Scottsdale officials on February 21, Galvin described the EPCOR plan as “an economic benefit to Scottsdale and no cost to Maricopa County.

“The plan makes sense because there is a record of private water utilities willing and able to participate in interim solutions to water problems.”

Lime and Jackman weren’t the only ones complaining about the city. Other Rio Verde Foothills homeowners took to social media to vent their stress.

After Scottsdale Alderman Barry Graham posted, “The City of Scottsdale played a major role in creating a plan to temporarily restore water flow to the Rio Valley Foothills. I’m proud of you,” Carol Forty retorted.

“You must be kidding me. I still can’t see the water. The county will never sign what Scottsdale has proposed.”

In an email to Progress on February 28, Graham reiterated his position.

“Scottsdale citizens are very generous with water,” said Graham. “The Rio Verde Foothills is an unincorporated area of ​​Maricopa County and is not part of Scottsdale … ​​Scottsdale’s reputation as being a good manager of the residents’ natural resources and a good neighbor to the residents of the Rio Verde Foothills. We hope that you will continue to respect our priorities.”

But Mike Skye saw it through the lens of business rather than neighbors in a Facebook post.

“Well, they played this right!” he wrote. “It’s very clear that Scottsdale has left everything to Maricopa County … Scottsdale has no obligation to even help, so there’s no need to negotiate.”

Nabity et al. analyzed the Scottsdale plan. Under the plan, the city would need him to find and purchase 600 acre-feet of water, but he would be able to sell no more than 378 acre-feet (126 acre-feet per year for a few years).

Even accounting for evaporation, she noted, “the city is left with 192 acre-feet.”

The Rio Verde Foothills water situation was not mentioned at the council’s February 28 meeting. It may be addressed at the next Scottsdale City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 7th at 5pm.