Gov. Doug Ducey to speak at Veterans Bridge Naming Celebration in Surprise

The City of Surprise is hosting a celebration on Friday, April 26 to mark the renaming of the bridge at US 60 (Grand Ave) and Bell Road to Veterans Bridge.

The Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names voted to approve the naming at their Januar...

New Surprise Progress TV Episode

Get info on the City Manager's FY2020 Recommended Budget, a challenge to conserve water with some great prizes, and more!

Southwest Gas begins project on Litchfield Rd, Greenway to Waddell, April 22

Southwest Gas will soon begin work to upgrade a gas main on Litchfield Road, from Greenway Road to Waddell Road, with expected completion in August 2019.

The work is scheduled to begin Monday, April 22, on the north end of the project at Greenway Road and ...

Ozone High Pollution Advisory issued for April 19

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Friday, April 19, 2019.

A "High Pollution Advisory" or "HPA" means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health stan...

Public records requests join list of city services available in My Surprise

Surprise has streamlined the public records request process to make it easier for customers to track requests and have documents delivered electronically.

Beginning today, requests for public records will join the list of city-provided service requests tha...

Surprise Area Interfaith & Golden Rule Community Breakfast is May 1; reserve your seat

Come build community by meeting city, faith, business and non-profit leaders from the region at the 2019 Surprise Area Interfaith & Golden Rule Community Breakfast on May 1. Surprise is a ‘Golden Rule Community’, and you are invite...

FY2020 Recommended Budget addresses city growth; maintenance of existing assets

City Manager Mike Frazier’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 City Manager Recommended Budget, presented at City Council’s April 16 Work Session, continues to focus on Council’s commitment to maintain quality public services and infrastructure, while also addressing ...

Surprise Hosts Veterans Bridge Naming Celebration

The City of Surprise is hosting a celebration on Friday, April 26 to mark the renaming of the bridge at US 60 (Grand Ave) and Bell Road to Veterans Bridge.

The Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names voted to approve the naming at their Januar...

Become a Volunteer on Surprise Fire-Medical’s Community Emergency Response Team

The Surprise Fire-Medical Department is offering free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for residents interested in volunteering in an emergency or disaster situation. 

CERT is a FEMA program that educates volunteers about disaster...

Pledge to conserve water & help Surprise win a nationwide water conservation challenge

Surprise is joining cities across the country in asking residents to make a long-term commitment to manage water resources more wisely by taking part in the annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation — and in return residents can win ...

Registration for youth summer basketball league, sports camps begins April 8

Registration for 2019 summer sports programs will be held April 8 - 27.  A special Saturday registration will be held on April 27 at the Community & Recreation Services office, 15960 N Bullard Ave, from 8 - 11 a.m.  Don’t miss your s...

Local youth invited to compete in MLB Pitch, Hit & Run and Jr. Home Run Derby competitions

The City of Surprise will host both a Major League Baseball Jr. Home Run Derby and a Pitch, Hit & Run Competition on April 27! 

MLB Pitch, Hit & Run Competition

Pitch, Hit & Run is the official skills competition of Major League Basebal...

New Surprise Progress TV Episode

Check out the new episode of Surprise Progress TV! Get info on Spring Egg-stravaganza, take a look back on the 2019 State of the City, and get details on Census 2020!

2019 Surprise Retail Survey results are in!

The City of Surprise launched its annual Surprise Retail Survey in March… and more than 3,000 responses later, we have the results! Plus, for the first time ever, we polled city youth in a separate survey. More than 1,000 of our 6th – 12th graders offered...

City of Surprise 2019 State of the City focuses on growth and sustainability

Mayor Skip Hall introduced the 2019 State of the City video premiere Thursday night at Surprise City Hall, highlighting the city’s most shining moments over the past year – and true to his words, 2018 was certainly a bright year for the city! 

The...

Surprise partners to host Utility Assistance events throughout April

Surprise, in partnership with the city of El Mirage, will host walk-in Utility Assistance events in Surprise on April 4, 11, 18 and 25, to assist eligible households that need support paying gas and electric utility bills.

 Utility Assistance Even...

Plan for your future; attend a free Estate Planning class

The city is hosting free classes on Estate Planning for anyone exploring their options, as well as for those who already have an estate plan. 

This class, taught by Ted Meyer with The Society of Financial Awareness – Arizona Chapter, will cover th...

Surprise to host USTA rating program for Singles, Doubles Tennis Championships (50+)

The Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex is proud to welcome the United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) 50 & Over Men’s and Women’s Championships this spring.

March 29-31 - 50 & Over Men’s and Women’s 3.0, 3.5,...

Repavement of Sun Valley Parkway, 291st Ave – 219th Ave, begins April 1

Maricopa County Department of Transportation will be repaving Sun Valley Parkway from just east of 291st Avenue to 219th Avenue beginning April 1, 2019. Sidewalk ramps at Sun Valley Parkway and Desert Oasis Boulevard will be improved as part of this proje...

City opens application process for Community Outreach Program

The Community Outreach Program, a City Council-led initiative to assist community organizations in providing programs and events that benefit City of Surprise residents, is now accepting applications.

 The purpose of the program is to provide fund...

Learn How to Maximize Your Medicare Options

Already enrolled in Medicare or looking to learn more about it? Come to a “Maximizing your Medicare Options” workshop and get information on the elements of Medicare Parts A and B; Medicare Advantage plans (Part C); Prescription Drug plans (Part D); and M...

Surprise Police warn community members about telephone scam

YOUR Surprise Police would like to alert the public of a telephone scam being attempted in our community. This scam has been attempted several times on multiple victims here in Surprise over the past two days.

Victims report receiving a phone call from an ...

City invites companies to support construction of outdoor memorial in honor of veterans

The city of Surprise is seeking construction and landscaping companies to partner in the creation of an outdoor memorial and veteran reflecting space in honor of late Surprise resident and combat wounded veteran Brian Mancini.

Mancini was a medically retir...

New tourism website launches; showcases city as a place to “Find your Surprise”

The city has launched a new tourism website to help showcase the city of Surprise as a year-round travel destination.  

The website, ExploreSurprise.com, features the slogan “Find your Surprise,” and highlights the many ways to play, dine, shop an...

City begins FY20 budget discussions Feb. 19

The City of Surprise FY2020 budget building process kicks off at the City Council Work Session on Tuesday, February 19. 

This will be the first in a series of presentations to Council by the City’s Finance Department regarding the overall developm...

Rock your block! Free block party trailer rentals available

What better way to get to know your neighbors than by throwing a great party? Surprise offers free rentals of its Block Party Trailer, and we’ll even deliver it to you! 

The block party trailer includes chairs, tables, coolers, canopy tents, sport...

City Council names Winters as Vice Mayor

The Surprise City Council unanimously selected District 1 Councilmember Roland F. Winters Jr. to serve as Vice Mayor at their regular meeting Tuesday night.

Per city code, City Council must select a new Vice Mayor to serve on an annual basis no later than ...

City Seeking Applications for Voluntary Commissions

The City of Surprise is currently accepting applications for the following Commissions.  All Board/Commission positions are voluntary.   

Community & Recreation Services Commission         ...

Council selects Sanders to fill D5 vacancy

The Surprise City Council appointed David Sanders to serve as the new District 5 (D5) Councilmember. 

He was immediately sworn into office and joined the council at the Jan. 3 Regular Meeting.

Sanders has lived in Surprise for nine years. His profe...

Surprise Progress TV: 2018 Year in Review

From new business and university growth to award-winning city programs and spectacular community events, we had a memorable 2018 here in Surprise! Check out this ‘Year in Review’ episode of Surprise Progress TV for a look back at some ...

City of Surprise program offers free support services for crime victims

The city of Surprise offers a Victim Services Program that assists crime victims in the aftermath of their victimization – as they navigate the court system and seek resources to get back on their feet. 

Services provided to any victim of a crime ...

Councils oks new Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission

The Surprise City Council moved to approve the formation of a volunteer Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission at Tuesday’s regular council meeting. 

The 11-member advisory commission will assist in the development of city pr...

Skip Hall selected as City of Surprise Mayor

The Surprise City Council unanimously selected Skip Hall to serve as the city’s next mayor. 

Mayor Hall will serve in this capacity until December 31, 2020, fulfilling the remaining mayoral term vacated by Sharon Wolcott on November 16, 2018.

Hall ...

DevelopNEXT: Drafts of Land Development Ordinances Chapters 104 & 105 Now Online

The city’s DevelopNEXT effort to simplify and modernize its development and design standards is advancing, with drafts of chapters 104 and 105 of the Land Development Ordinances (LDO) online for public and stakeholder review and comment.&nbs...

AZ TechCelerator’s Global Concierge program wins at Best of the West

It was an award-winning Thursday night for the City of Surprise at Westmarc’s annual Best of the West Awards ceremony. 

The Global Concierge program, operated through the city’s business innovation center- the AZ TechCelerator,...

Surprise Fire-Medical sends assistance to battle California Wildfires

The Surprise Fire-Medical Department has sent three Wild Land Firefighters and a Type 6 Brush Truck to assist in battling the deadly wildfires burning in California.

The Surprise crew was deployed on Saturday, November 10 and is currently working in Los An...

Mayor Wolcott announces plans to resign; succession process set per code

City of Surprise Mayor Sharon Wolcott announced her intention to resign at Tuesday's Regular Council Meeting.  Read her message.

Wolcott was first elected as mayor in November 2011 and re-elected in August of 2016. Prior to her service as mayor, s...

Veterans Day Parade Entry Winners Announced

The City of Surprise would to thank all of our Veterans Day parade entries for a wonderful event! We had over 95 entries and  would like to recognize the parade winners in the following categories:

Best Veteran Service Organization Entry &ndas...

County releases D1 city election results

These are the following District 1 city election unofficial results as released by the Maricopa County Elections Department, Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.: 

Jim Cunningham 2,586 votes (44%)Roland F. Winters Jr. 3,148 votes (54%)

For the...

DevelopNEXT: Drafts of Land Development Ordinances Chapters 101-103 Now Online

The city’s DevelopNEXT effort to simplify and modernize its development and design standards is advancing, with drafts of the first three chapters of the Land Development Ordinances (LDO) online for public and stakeholder review and comment. 

The ...

Task Force Votes on ways to honor combat-wounded veteran Brian Mancini

The City's Honoring an Exceptional Leader Task Force will present two recommendations for ways in which to honor the late Brian Mancini, to the City Council at their December 4th Work Session.

At the task force’s October 30 meeting, members were presented ...

City of Surprise recognized for exemplary event production and promotion

The City of Surprise, in partnership with local community sponsors, was recognized October 25 at the 24th Annual APS Arizona Talent in Events Concepts Awards Competition.  

Each year, the APS AzTEC Award competition, endorsed by the International ...

SeaCa Packaging Breaks Ground on Manufacturing Facility in Surprise During AZ Manufacturers Month

SeaCa Packaging, owned by Seattle Tacoma Box Company, an over 125-year-old six generation family owned and operated company specializing in packaging, today announced its expansion to Greater Phoenix with the groundbreaking of a manufacturing plant in Sur...

City's annual Pavement Preservation Program kicks off

The City of Surprise Public Works Department kicked off its annual Pavement Preservation Program this week, and the focus of the first phase is low-to-moderate-capacity collector roads.

This annual program identifies city streets to receive appropriate app...

City of Surprise Receives International Economic Development Award for Retail Survey

The City of Surprise has won an international award for its annual Surprise Retail Survey from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The project won a “Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award” in the category of...

Surprise Community Outreach Program Funding Awarded

On Tuesday, September 18, Surprise City Council took action to grant funding to 23 organizations through the Surprise Community Outreach Program. The program is a City Council led initiative to assist non-profit 501(c)3 organizations in providing programs...

August 28th Primary Election results now final

Here are the Final Official city election results released by the Maricopa County Elections Department. (*denotes incumbent / All Caps denotes winner): 

District 1:

James Cunningham 1,237 votes (38%)Raymond Grim 854 votes (26%)*Roland F. Winters Jr...

City of Surprise distracted driving law goes into effect 9/6

 Driving and using mobile devices that are not operating in a hands-free mode, is illegal within Surprise city limits effective this Thursday, September 6. 

The ordinance, which Council approved last month, penalizes driving and using a m...

Surprise, DUSD win national award for video showing dangers of drunk driving

A drunk and distracted driving awareness video co-produced by the City of Surprise and Dysart Unified School District (DUSD) has won first place in the “Partnership Production” category of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Adviso...

UPDATED 9/3: Early Unofficial Primary Election Council votes announced

Here are the Early Unofficial city election results released by the Maricopa County Elections Department as of 5:17 p.m. on September 3. The County is still processing Election Day ballots. The results will be updated as the city receives the latest updat...

Council approves Distracted Driving Law

Driving and using your mobile devices, that are not operating in a hands-free mode, is now illegal within Surprise city limits.

City Council approved the Distracted Driving Ordinance at their Regular Meeting, Tuesday night.

The ordinance penalizes driving a...

Phoenix Business Journal recognizes Surprise Resource Center partner as Health Care Heroes finalist

The Surprise Resource Center is pleased to announce that Roberta Ezratty, a partner in its team of social, human and workforce development organizations and agencies, is a finalist for a Phoenix Business Journal Health Care Heroes award in the “...

Surprise Youth Earn Arizona Career Readiness Certificates

Participants in the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program, not only gained invaluable work experience alongside city staff, they also earned the Arizona Career Readiness Credential (ACRC) through a partnership with Arizona@Work, Maricopa County’s Workfor...

Neighborhood Grant Program application now available

The Surprise City Council approved funding to support the Neighborhood Grant Program that provides eligible neighborhoods with small grants to fund neighborhood events, functions, or community improvements. Recognizing an opportunity to encourage...

Surprise wins award for adaptive recreation program offered in partnership with Royals, Rangers

The city of Surprise took home a statewide award this week for an adaptive recreation program that gives athletes with physical and developmental disabilities a chance to train with Major League Baseball players and coaches.The city’s Adaptive Spring Spor...

Spring Training a tourism hit in Surprise

Spring Training brings in the people and the money to Arizona and as a proud Cactus League city, Surprise is feeling the benefits!

According to research released Monday by the Cactus League, the 2018 Cactus League season generated $373 million in the state...

Cactus League produces windfall for Arizona economy

The following news was released by the Cactus League on July 23, 2018...

The 2018 Cactus League season generated $373 million for Arizona’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to a study by the L. William Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State Uni...

New Adaptive Signal Control Technology activated along Bell Rd, Cotton Ln to 114th Ave

The Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), in partnership with the City of Surprise, and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), has activated new Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) along Bell Road between Cotton Lane and Av...

Surprise to update development & design standards; public meeting July 24

The city of Surprise’s development and design standards are getting a comprehensive update for the first time since 2009, and we want you to join as we DevelopNEXT!DevelopNEXT is an effort to simplify and modernize the city’s Land Development Ordinances a...

New Explore Surprise Episode - Youth Programs!

Youth are an important part of our community! That’s why the City of Surprise makes it a priority to keep them involved – through recreation, social events, career readiness programs and more. Check out this new episode of Explore Surprise to learn about ...

Revised - Task Force begins work to honor late Veteran resident Brian Mancini

The city’s Honoring an Exceptional Leader Task Force met, Thursday, June 28, to begin discussing ideas in which to honor the late Brian Mancini.

Mancini was a medically retired Sergeant First Class, Combat Wounded Veteran who served as a Combat M...

Council adopts Surprise Arts & Culture Master Plan, Tourism Strategic Plan

The Surprise City Council adopted two new plans at their meeting Tuesday night that will guide the growth of arts and culture and tourism in the city.The Arts & Culture Master Plan will help ensure that as our community and our arts and cultural oppor...

City Council receives Decide Surprise bond projects and finance update

City of Surprise staff provided City Council with a Decide Surprise General Obligation Bond projects and financial update at Tuesday night’s Regular Meeting.

On April, 18, 2018 the city issued the first General Obligation Bond sale resulting in $37 million...

City of Surprise seeking instructors and ideas for Special Interest Classes

Do you have a special skill or hobby you would like to teach others? The City of Surprise Community and Recreation Services Department is now recruiting instructors and proposals for special interest classes; such as, dance and fitness, art, preschool, co...

Surprise youth showcase innovative solutions at Entrepreneurship Boot Camp

Youthful innovation was on display June 8 at Surprise City Hall in culmination of the AZ TechCelerator’s 5th Annual Surprise Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp.Fourteen students from Paradise Honors, Willow Canyon, Valley Vista, Shadow Ridge and Dysart high...

City Council adopts safety-focused FY2019 Budget

The Surprise City Council approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 City Budget in a Special Meeting Tuesday night, that addresses safety needs for Information Technology, Police and Fire-Medical.New to the $384.6 million budget is funding for Decide Surprise ca...

Voters ok city water election

Voters have approved the May 15th Water Election, authorizing City Council to complete negotiations with the Circle City Water Company (CCW) for the possible acquisition of the utility.

According to preliminary results released by the Maricopa County Recor...

Phoenix Business Journal ranks City of Surprise as one of Valley’s Healthiest Employers

The City of Surprise has been named one of the Valley’s Healthiest Employers in a 2018 Phoenix Business Journal ranking, placing sixth among midsized companies.The city’s employee wellness program includes diverse initiatives that addr...

Residents love their city; focused on safety & economy in National Citizen Survey

The 2018 National Citizen Survey (NCS) results reveal more than 8 in 10 residents rate the quality of life in Surprise as excellent or good; and they recommend living here.

The NCS serves as the city’s service report card, and the collected data assists in...

2018 Surprise Retail Survey Results are in!

The City of Surprise launched a retail survey in March asking the community to vote for their favorite locally-owned businesses; both their top restaurant and top retailer. In just three weeks, the survey garnered more than 3,000 responses!Congratulations...