Veterans, service members, and their families now have a new place to access resources, support, and assistance in the West Valley. The City of Surprise is proud to offer the West Valley Military and Veteran Success Center a new home within the Surprise Resource Center at the AZ TechCelerator Campus, located at 12425 W. Bell Rd., Suite 124. The center includes various military and veteran support services and resources, made possible by the generous support of partner organizations and all West Valley cities. For more information on the West Valley Military and Veteran Success Center, call 623.222.1658 or visit the City of Surprise website at surpriseaz.gov/veterans.
Senior Center Exercise Programs Re-Opening!
Fitness classes operated by the Surprise Senior Services Team have re-opened! To register, please call 623.222.1500. In addition, the drive-thru meal program is still available with advance registration.
Surprise Fire Department Lock Box Program
Surprise Fire-Medical offers a Lock Box Program to allow first responders quick and safe access into your home during an emergency. In an emergency, the fire department can use its unique key to open the lock box and access your house key to gain entry into your home. Having a lockbox can add precious lifesaving minutes during an emergency and also saves on property damage. For more information, visit surpriseaz.gov/1656/Lock-Box-Program, or call 623.222.5000.
Surprise Library Access
The Maricopa County Library District is moving into the next phase of re-opening at all county-run libraries. Customers can stop by the library during Pop-In Pick-Up hours to browse every shelf and all selections, rather than a limited collection. Hollyhock Library, located at 15844 N. Hollyhock St., has Pop-In Pick-Up hours Monday - Thursday, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The library is closed on Sunday. For more information, please visit mcldaz.org/locations/northwest/.
State of the City Video
The 2021 State of the City video premiered on April 13. Please take a few moments to view it if you have not had the opportunity. This video captures how our strength, effort, and strategic planning place the city's trajectory toward future success. Watch the video here: surprisetv.surpriseaz.gov. The video will also replay on the Cox 11 cable channel at select times. To view a schedule, please visit surprisetv.surpriseaz.gov/schedule.
Fiscal Year 2022 Recommended Budget
City of Surprise proposes a budget focused on maintaining current service levels as the city continues to grow. The budget continues to focus on Council's commitment to maintaining quality public services and infrastructure. A public hearing and tentative Budget adoption is scheduled for the May 4 Regular City Council Meeting, with final budget adoption planned for the June 1 meeting.
The Property Tax Rate in Surprise
We’ve been receiving some questions about the City of Surprise tax rate. It has not increased. The primary tax rate in the City of Surprise is $0.7591 per $100 of assessed property value, plus the secondary property tax rate (from the voter-approved 2017 GO Bond) of $0.3880 per $100 of assessed property value. These rates multiplied by the assessed value of your home determine what you pay in property taxes. If the value of your home increases, you will see an increased tax bill; however, that is not due to an increase in the property tax rate but rather an increase in the assessed value of your home.
Schedule of Existing Primary and Secondary Property Tax
Current Rate
Current Levy
Proposed Rate
Proposed Levy
Property Tax
Primary Property Tax Rate
$0.7591
$9,135,500
$0.7591
$9,974,200
Per $100 assessed value
Secondary Property Tax Rate
$0.3880
$4,669,500
$0.3880
$5,098,200
Per $100 assessed value
Passport Services are Back
Passport services are back at Surprise City Hall by appointment only. Regular business hours for passports will be Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the City Clerk's Office, temporarily located in Development Services. Applications for first-time passport books and passport cards are accepted and they can also help review paperwork for renewals. They do not offer passport photos, so be sure to have your pictures with you at your appointment. To make an appointment, or for questions, please visit surpriseaz.gov/passport or call the City Clerk's Office at 623.222.1200.
Surprise Covid-19 Vaccination Numbers
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported the overall number of Surprise COVID-19 cases at 13,585 on April 15. Through that day, 45,330 Surprise area residents received at least one vaccine shot. Below are the number of vaccination totals for ZIP codes in Surprise as of April 15.
85374 - 20,841
85379 - 13,001
85388 - 8,398
85378 - 3,090
Benevilla Community Baby-Shower
Monday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Benevilla & Friends will be hosting a drive-thru baby shower for expecting moms and moms with infants up to 6 months old. Mothers can drive-thru and pick-up at Arizona Charter Academy parking lot located at 16025 N. Dysart Rd. Donations will also be accepted during this event!
#6 Safest City
Surprise is ranked the #6 safest city in Arizona, according to a new SafeWise report. Congrats to our community on this accomplishment & a big thank you to Surprise PD for helping to keep us safe! Here is a list of Arizona's 10 Safest Cities: safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-arizona/.
Free AZ Small Business Association Membership!
In recognition of the continued small business recovery process resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Surprise Economic Development Department is teaming up with the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) to offer Surprise small businesses a free year of ASBA membership now through May 10! To sign up, please visit asba.com/surprise. Please also see the City of Surprise Economic Development webpage to learn about many other resources available for Surprise businesses!
District 4 Community Meeting
Please join me for my monthly Community Meeting on May 26 at 6 p.m. at the Surprise Senior Center, located at 15832 N. Hollyhock St. Masks are recommended, and social distancing will be in place. Please check the city website at surpriseaz.gov for updated information on my meet and greet schedule. Please call or email me in the meantime with any questions or concerns you may have.
City Council Meetings
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting is May 18 at 6 p.m. in the City of Surprise Council Chambers, located at 16000 N. Civic Center Dr. City Council meetings are now open to in-person attendance, or you may tune in on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise, or on Cox channel 11 to watch the meeting live.
