Jack Hastings

One of the most impactful discussions coming to the City Council is about our Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. A tentative budget will be adopted at the May 7 City Council Meeting. Details on this meeting can be found in this newsletter if you would like to attend or watch. Thank you to all D5 residents for your ongoing support of our city! 

CURRENT EVENTS

Surprise Safety Splash

Bring the family to Surprise Safety Splash on Saturday, May 18, for a free event focused on water and summer safety. Enjoy rescue demos, fire trucks, police and SWAT vehicles, games, raffles, prizes, swim evaluations and more! The pool and water slides will be open for families to enjoy and swim during the event. There will also be burgers and dogs sponsored by the Surprise Firefighter Charities. This event will be at the Surprise Aquatic Center, 15831 N. Bullard Ave., from 5 - 8 p.m. and is brought to you by the City of Surprise Aquatics Division in partnership with the Surprise Fire-Medical and Police departments, and Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center. For more information regarding Surprise Safety Splash, swim lesson assessments or swim team tryouts, head to surpriseaz.gov/Aquatics or call 623.222.2000.

City Council Meetings

The next City Council Meetings are May 7 and 21 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend in person, or you can tune in on surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV, the City of Surprise Facebook page or Cox channel 11.

Arts & Culture Events

The City has many ways you can enjoy the arts and culture scene in our community. From theater performances, gallery tours, poetry readings and more, there is something for you to explore!

*Gallery Tour
May 9 • 9 a.m. - noon

*AZ Speaks - “Dr. Pearl Tang: Path Breaker in Public Health” by Dr. Mary Melcher
May 22 • 11 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Surprise City Hall Art Gallery • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
Charter Schools Exhibit | Runs through May 17
Chuck Kyle Photography Exhibit | May 24 - July 26

*Registration required. Find details and sign-up information at surpriseaz.gov/ArtsSignUp.

Community Meeting 

I look forward to seeing you at my next Community Meeting.

Tuesday, May 14, at 5 p.m.
Surprise Regional Library
16089 N. Bullard Ave.

Surprise Day of Service

Join us to assist with sorting bulk food items, creating food baskets and loading food into vehicles; helping in the process of providing food for families in need. Registration is required by emailing or calling 623.222.1522.

Wednesday, May 15, at 7:15 a.m.
St. Mary’s Food Bank
13050 W. Elm St.

NEWS & UPDATES

Heat Relief Network

Arizona recognizes Heat Awareness Week May 6 - 10, to raise awareness about heat risk, promote indoor and outdoor heat safety and encourage those at greater risk of serious illness or death to connect to cooling centers and other resources.  

The Heat Relief Network is a regional partnership of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), municipalities, nonprofit organizations, the faith-based community and businesses. Each year, MAG coordinates the mapping of the Heat Relief Network, a network of partners providing hydration stations, refuge locations and water donation sites throughout the valley with the goal of preventing heat-related illnesses and deaths among vulnerable populations. For more information visit Heat Relief Network - Maricopa Association of Governments (azmag.gov)

Memorial Day Closures

City of Surprise administrative offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. City of Surprise trash and recycling customers ONLY are reminded there will be a modified trash collection schedule that week, postponing collection by one day.

Call for Artists – Basketball Mural

The City of Surprise invites Arizona-based artists or artist teams to submit qualifications to create a basketball court mural at the community pool and park currently under construction at Perryville and Cactus roads. West Valley artists are strongly encouraged to apply for this $25,000 award by June 3. To apply visit the City of Surprise Artist Calls page.

Surprise Public Library Survey

Help us shape the future of the Surprise Public Library System. Take our survey through June 3, and share your thoughts on collections, programs and more. Your feedback matters!

High School Diploma Program

The Surprise Public Library System is offering Arizona residents aged 21 years or older a second chance at earning a high school diploma through Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School, an approved facilitator of the Arizona Adult Workforce Diploma Program. It’s designed to help adults obtain their high school diploma entirely online, as well as prepare them for college or the workplace. Learn more and enroll.

Safe Speeds Saves Lives

Creating safer streets starts with addressing speed, which is the largest cause of injury and death in traffic collisions. The “Safe Speeds Save Lives” campaign is delivering high-visibility traffic enforcement with a zero-tolerance approach towards speeding and aggressive driving on West Valley roadways. The enforcement mobilization is in effect through July 31, 2024.  

Voting Information

Find important voting information, like where to vote and important dates to remember for the upcoming election! Ballots for the Primary Election will be mailed beginning Wednesday, July 3. In-person early voting will begin July 3 at City Hall in the Community Room and will continue through Election Day, July 30. 

2024 Retail Survey

The City of Surprise is excited to announce the results of the 2024 Retail Survey! The survey, which received overwhelming participation of more than 5,000 responses, provides valuable insight into residents’ local favorite retailers and restaurants, as well as the most desired businesses that residents are eager to see in the community.

For years the results of the Surprise Retail Survey have helped guide the City’s business attraction strategy and have been instrumental in bringing most wanted businesses such as Hobby Lobby, Portillo’s and American Furniture Warehouse, all of which are currently under development in Surprise.

2024 survey results are available at surpriseaz.gov/RetailSurvey

SAVE THE DATE

Summer Reading Kickoff Party

It is the kickoff to summer reading! Join us on Sunday, June 1, at 10 a.m. at Surprise Regional Library. We will have axe throwing, performers, games, prizes, food trucks and karaoke! Your adventure begins this summer at the Surprise Public Library. Don’t forget to pre-register for the Summer Reading Program for your chance to earn prizes and enter raffles!

The goal of my newsletter is to enhance community engagement and communication by providing important City updates, local events and initiatives. I aim to keep residents well-informed about district-specific matters and encourage active participation in community activities. You can reach me at jack.hastings@surpriseaz.gov or by calling 623.222.1325.