City Manager Bob Wingenroth and the City’s Finance Department presented the City’s Fiscal Year 2024 Tentative Budget at the May 2 City Council meeting. The Tentative Budget focuses on maintaining the quality public services and infrastructure our residents value most. In order to address our city’s increased needs due to growth, a focus was placed on providing operational and capital funding for infrastructure and increasing programs and amenities that maintain residents’ quality of life. For more information click here.
Municipal Clerks Week
At the Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 2, Mayor Hall issued a proclamation honoring the work of our City Clerk’s office. The Clerk serves as the City’s official records custodian and Chief Elections Officer and the team supports those efforts. Thank you to the incredible members of our Clerk’s team and our City Clerk, Sherry Aguilar, who has served as our Clerk for 27 years!
General Obligation Bonds
On Tuesday, May 16, City Council approved sending two General Obligation Bond questions to the November 7 Special Election ballot. Voters in Surprise are asked to consider:
Transportation bond to fund road improvements that include segments of Waddell Road, Happy Valley Road, Cactus Road and 163rd Avenue ($66 million)
Public safety bond that includes a fire station, police substation and land for additional public safety facilities ($34 million)
These projects would be funded by General Obligation Bonds, which are paid back from a secondary property tax. Surprise voters approved a secondary property tax in 2017 for the funding of 10 Capital Improvement Projects, which are now complete. Based on certain financing and property tax value assumptions, it is not expected that property owners will see a secondary property tax rate increase due to the passing of one or both 2023 bond questions. The City currently has a secondary property tax rate of $0.3880 per $100 of assessed limited property value. Due to significant residential and commercial growth across Surprise, the City expects it can issue additional bond debt without increasing the rate. The estimated average tax rate of the proposed authorization is $0.28 per $100 of assessed limited property value.
The Summer Reading Program has begun and is a great way to continue learning over the next few months. Prereaders, youth, teens and adults can track reading minutes to win prizes like free books, park passes, food items, game tokens to local entertainment centers and so much more! Register now at maricopacountyreads.org and get ready to track your reading from now through August 1. If you prefer a paper gameboard, they are available at our three Surprise libraries.
New Legend Awards Program
The City of Surprise Veterans, Disability & Human Services Commission created a new Surprise Community Legend Awards Program to celebrate the actions of those making a difference in Surprise. The commission is now accepting nominations for individuals and groups who have contributed to improving the quality of life of others by:
Measurably improving the lives of vulnerable Surprise residents through grassroots efforts.
Promoting quality of life, accessibility and equity for all residents of Surprise.
Linking residents to programs that offer the support needed for a fuller, safer lifestyle.
All applications must be received by June 30, 2023, at 5 p.m. If you have any questions about the application and process, please contact Danielle Osborne at 623.222.1034 or danielle.osborne@surpriseaz.gov. More information and the online nomination form can be found at surpriseaz.gov/CommunityLegend.
Boards and Commissions Vacancies
The City of Surprise is currently accepting applications for the following boards and commissions. All board/commission positions are voluntary.
Arts & Cultural Advisory Commission
Library Advisory Commission
Parks & Recreation Services Commission
Personnel Appeals Board
Planning & Zoning Commission
Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission
Applications are available online at surpriseaz.gov/boards or at the City Clerk’s Office at Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plz. during business hours, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Completed applications may be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office in-person or to sherry.aguilar@surpriseaz.gov. For questions, please contact clerk@surpriseaz.gov or 623.222.1200.
Surprise Youth Council
Congratulations to the newest members of our Surprise Youth Council who were sworn in at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 16! Learn more about the program at surpriseaz.gov/SYC
Building Safety Month
At the Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 16, Mayor Hall proclaimed the month of May as Building Safety Month. We recognize and appreciate the professionals responsible for ensuring Surprise grows safely into the future.
Library Card Design Contest Winners
Congratulations to our Library Card Design Contest winners! Certificates were awarded to the selected artists at the May 16 City Council Meeting.
The winners in each category are:
Jisella Longley (Mayor’s Choice)
Jimmy Scott (City Librarian’s Choice)
Dagny Tang (10 & Under)
Afton Campbell (11-17)
Amanda Mikesh (18+)
The winning artwork will be featured on the new Surprise Public Library System library cards, which will be needed to check out materials beginning July 1. At that time, patrons will be able to choose between seven card designs.
Join our City of Surprise Human Service & Community Vitality Department for a Day of Service event on Wednesday, June 14 at St. Mary's Food Bank. Get signed up and keep an eye on volunteer events at surpriseaz.gov/dayofservice
Surprise Lifesaving Award
At the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 16, Surprise Fire-Medical Department’s Assistant Chief Chip Gleason presented a Lifesaving Award to Cody Fagenbush who acted quickly and used his military medical training to help save the life of a coworker who experienced a critical injury on a job site. Join us in honoring and recognizing this local hero!
Poetry, Art and More!
Are you ready to discover arts and culture events in Surprise? From theater performances, gallery tours, poetry readings and more, make sure to mark your calendar to attend!
Want to see what else is on the 2022-2023 arts & culture calendar? All events are listed online at surpriseaz.gov/arts.
District 4 Community Meeting
Join me for my next monthly Community Meeting on Wednesday, June 28 at 6 p.m. at the Salvation Army North West Valley Corp, located at 17420 Ave of the Arts. Check the City website at surpriseaz.gov for updated information on my community meeting schedule. Call or email me in the meantime with any questions or concerns you may have. We hope to see you there!
City Council Meetings
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting is on June 6 at 6 p.m. in the City of Surprise Council Chambers. City Council meetings are open to in-person attendance or you may tune in at surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page facebook.com/cityofsurprise or on Cox channel 11 to watch the meeting live.
