El Paso County will intervene in Vinton's ongoing infrastructure problems following a 4-1 vote by county commissioners Monday. While there are multiple conflicts facing the village, the county's actions will move toward building a sewer system for residents. 

"I'm grateful to the county for their effort. They are really looking after the health and welfare of the citizens of Vinton," said Vinton Mayor Madeleine Praino.

The county is concerned after hearing a presentation from El Paso Water Utilities that the failing septic tanks in Vinton could potentially contaminate the ground water that flows to EPWU wells in the Upper Valley. Water, everyone in the county relies on. PWU said it is becoming more dependent upon those wells instead of scarce river water.

"If their sewage seeps into our ground water, that it's a bigger issue than just Vinton," said Commissioner Tania Chozet.

The county will apply for $36 million in federal grant money for a wastewater system in Vinton. It's money the Border Environment Cooperation Commission already awarded the village but councilwomen Juvencia Rios Ontiveros, Martha Garcia and Maria Medina voted against accepting the funds.

"This is the first step for Vinton and for the residents," said Vinton resident Victor Carrejo.

Praino called the situation "bittersweet" and said it was "embarrassing" the situation reached the level when the county needed to step in. "The main issue is the responsibility of the elected officials to really safeguard the safety and the health of the citizens, it hasn't happened." Said Praino referring to the months of stonewalling from the faction of council voting against everything the village tries to make progress.

Also appearing in commissioner's court, state Rep. Dee Margo and state Sen. Jose Rodriguez voicing their support for the village of Vinton residents and for the county's intervention.

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes wrote a letter to be read into the record also expressing disappointment and frustration of the select few members of Vinton village council to capitalize on the millions of dollars available to them.

The County's decision to intervene called into question the leadership of three Vinton council members.

County Judge Veronica Escobar said, "It's shameful that there are people in our community that have stood in the way of families achieving water and wastewater."

Which may be surprising, because as KFOX14 has previously reported, Councilwoman Ontiveros does have city water at her home, but has prevented the rest of the residents from achieving the same.

Chozet said the women should resign.

"If they are playing politics with the health and safety of their constituents, they are definitely not doing right but their constituents and I think that they should resign," Chozet said.

KFOX14 asked Ontiveros how she felt about those comments.

"I was elected by the people and not by them. OK?" said Onitveros.

"We don't need them. We don't need them. They are just hurting our village," said Carrejo.

KFOX14 asked Ontiveros if there was anything she would like to say to the residents of Vinton, "yes, I am looking out for their best interests," said Ontiveros.

Dan Haggerty cast the only vote in opposition to applying for the grants.

The application will cost the county $20,000, which will be taken from leftover funds in the 2002 and 2007 bonds.

Haggerty said he is not against the village obtaining water and sewer but doesn't feel its right for the county to have to shoulder the burden.

"There is a suggestion somehow that the rest of us in the community of El Paso county should somehow step in and pay for it. I've got a real issue with that I really do," said Haggerty.

The village of Vinton is in Hagggerty's district, he said he is understanding of the challenged faced by a council at a stalemate but could not vote in favor of the application, citing it is the principle of the matter and the county needs to observe the boundary lines.

"Vinton needs to step up to the plate and control their own destiny," said Haggerty. "It's their community not our responsibility to determine their destination, it's theirs and they need to get involved," said Haggerty.

The agenda item passed by council Monday just allows the county to go forward with applying for the grant for wastewater on Vinton's behalf; it does not guarantee that the village will receive a sewer system.

The village still faces multiple issues. The village still does not have a city water system. In 2003, water testing from the Texas Water Development Board revealed arsenic and lead in the water system that services many households in Vinton.

The village is operating without a budget because the council has not passed a budget for the new fiscal year to meet the Oct. 1 deadline. Without a budget, the village was forced to cut two of nine employees and reduce the services it provides.

In addition, the council has not ratified a tax rate by the Oct. 5t deadline; they cannot collect revenue without doing so. The county has also not found a way to address a half a million dollar debt to an engineering firm for the wastewater assessment after the three council members rejected the grants to pay for the project.

The three council women have twice voted against extending the 2011-2012 budget 90 days, which would have kept the tax rate the same.

"I don't think it's ethical, I don't think it's right and I think we are going to look into whether it is criminal," said Chozet.