ODESSA, Texas — West Odessans weren't too happy when Ector County Commissioners informed them that Ector County Utility District is not under Ector County jurisdiction and they have "no authority to remove any ECUD members" since the district is considered a "special district".
"With these special districts they operate under a different guide of rules they have to correspond with TCEQ who is there oversight committee," Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett said. "They do have some oversight from the commissioners court but it’s in very unique circumstances and while they did violate a number of things none of those trigger a threshold to where commissioners court can take an action as the powers currently sit is our interpretation."
Residents who have continued to voice their concerns on ECUD's mishandled elections and water issues to Commissioners were not too happy with the courts response Tuesday.
"I’m sick to my stomach. I actually feel like I could get sick I spent a lot of time with this. I don’t think that’s right I think they should have stood up and done something and helped us," Shirley Kelley said. "I’m really disappointed in what has gone on, I’m disappointed in what’s been going on for a long time I’m disappointed that we’re the ones that take the brunt of what somebody has done."
Another West Odessa resident said, "it’s five steps forward 15 back and it’s a slap in the face every time. Well you need to see this person, that person, nobody does anything."
The big question remains for concerned residents is who can help them? Some think their best bet is appealing all the way up to the Attorney General's office.
"As far as the Attorney General goes I would ask him, 'Mr. Paxton come to Ector County look at the evidence presented to this Commissioners court look at the court case that was brought and respectfully ask we look at the broad misconduct and that you rule and you help this county get their act straight'," Former ECUD Board Member Will Kappauf said. "We know it’s a problem, we know it’s a big problem and I do believe Commissioners court will act if they are shown where their authority is this is a big enough deal."
Even with Tuesday's response from the Court, Judge Fawcett said he plans to continue finding solutions for West Odessans.
"What we’re seeing out there is not good governance and so how do we mitigate that how do we fix that, who can fix that is our next steps," Judge Fawcett said. "We have to find solutions for these folks and if it’s not actions we can take in there then maybe it’s a different solution and I’ll continue working with them."
According to Judge Fawcett, the Court is only able to remove ECUD Board members that they have appointed, currently there are no ECUD Board members that have been appointed by the Court.