OPINION — When the city of Surprise Police Department quietly inked their contract for Flock Safety automatic license plate reader cameras back on Oct. 25, 2023, they allowed this contracted vendor who is paid by the city to provide services and install such equipment on city-owned property without a city permit, or a city tax business license.
To date, Flock Safety still does not have a current city tax privilege license with the city of Surprise. My question is why Flock Safety continues to operate without these licenses, while you or I that want to conduct business within the city of Surprise would need to apply for a local business license to comply with all local taxing authorities?
The city has made a big mistake with Flock Safety by not allowing public input or informing the majority of the city council before signing this contract and allowing them to operate without the proper licenses for over three years now.
