The Surprise City Council has endorsed two long-awaited city departments without having to dedicate much new money.
By a unanimous vote Dec. 6, the council approved the budget to establish an Arts, Culture and Library Department, as well as the intent to start of a Transportation Department — which will spin off from the Public Works Department during the fiscal year 2024 budget adoption process.
Two open positions in the city structure were moved to cover the salaries of the two new department directors. Forty members of the current public works staff will move over the transportation, and members of the arts, culture and library staff will be shifted from parks and recreation to the new department.
