The deadline to submit signatures to recall the mayor of Buckeye has passed, and efforts to oust Jackie Meck from office have failed.

Months of soaring water bills made Meck the object of people's ire. In November, residents filed paperwork to recall the Buckeye native and three-term mayor.

Organizers needed 1,718 valid signatures to force a special election. But they had not been submitted when the deadline passed on Wednesday.

Buckeye officials have taken steps to respond to concerns about high water bills. The city set up a hotline for concerned customers, canceled a rate-hike increase and parted ways with the head of the water department.