Council adopts FY2020 Budget to address city growth; maintain existing assets

City Council approved a $412.7 million Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Budget, during their Regular Meeting Tuesday.

The budget continues to focus on Council’s commitment to maintain quality public services and infrastructure, while also addressing the needs of a gr...

Groundbreaking set for Veterans Reflection Circle memorial in honor of Brian Mancini

The city of Surprise is breaking ground on an outdoor memorial in honor of late Surprise resident and combat wounded veteran Brian Mancini, who spent his life serving his country and helping other wounded veterans find healing.

The groundbreaking for the V...

Teen tutoring service takes top prize at Surprise Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp

Youthful innovation was on display June 7 at Surprise City Hall in culmination of the AZ TechCelerator’s 6th Annual Surprise Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp.

Thirteen students from Paradise Honors, Willow Canyon and Valley Vista high schools and...

Summer temps are rising; Heat Relief stations available

With forecasted highs hitting over 100 degrees every day this week, the City of Surprise reminds residents that we are a Heat Relief Network partner. The City provides hydration and refuge stations for those in need of a place to cool off during Arizona&a...

National Indoor RV Centers expands to Surprise, brings head-of-household jobs

Texas-based National Indoor RV Centers (NIRVC) has selected the City of Surprise, Arizona for its new expansion location. The new Surprise business center will grow 65 full-time jobs and will be dedicated to the sales, servicing, storage and maintenance o...

New Surprise Progress TV Episode

Watch the latest Surprise Progress TV episode for info on monsoon safety, a groundbreaking for the Veterans Reflection Circle outdoor memorial, and the approved FY2020 Budget. 

Peoria Ave, Dysart Rd to Bullard Ave, restricted for pavement work June 14-25

The city of Surprise is conducting pavement preservation work on Peoria Avenue, Dysart Road to Bullard Avenue, from June 14 – 25, which will result in traffic restrictions.

Drivers can expect multiple and varying lane restrictions with reduced speed limits...

PBR Arizona State Games Baseball Tournament continues summer of tournament tourism in Surprise

For the second weekend in a row, more than 1,500 players from across the country will visit Surprise Stadium and Recreation Campus for the first ever Prep Baseball Report (PBR) Arizona State Games.  

Over 35 teams from Arizona, California, Colorad...

Additional Utility Assistance Application Event scheduled for June 15

An additional Utility Assistance Application Event has been added for the month of June to assist families in Surprise and El Mirage who need help with gas and electric utility payments.

The intake event will take place on Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. - 2...

Celebrate the 4th of July in Surprise

Surprise will host its 36th Annual 4th of July Celebration on Thursday, July 4th at Mark Coronado Park, 15850 N. Bullard Ave, from 6 - 9 p.m. 

Event admission is FREE and will feature live music by Steven P and Diversity Jukebox, food trucks, yard...

Mayor Hall proclaims Monsoon Awareness Week; Surprise offers safety tips for Monsoon 2019

Mayor Skip Hall proclaimed June 9-14 as Monsoon Awareness Week in Surprise during last night’s Regular City Council Meeting and encouraged residents to be prepared for severe weather during the unpredictable season.

Monsoon, June 15-September 30, is a seas...

Public input welcome on proposed building code amendments

The City of Surprise Community Development Department is proposing the adoption of the 2018 International Building Codes with local amendments. This would replace the previously adopted 2012 International Building Codes with local amendments.

The proposed ...

Wilson Premier Baseball tournament kicks off summer tourism season in Surprise

This week, more than 7,000 people from across the country will descend on the Surprise Stadium and Recreation Campus to kick off an incredible summer of sports tourism and baseball with the Wilson Premier Championship West.  

Over 85 teams from Ar...

What would you like to see in the West Valley? Take the Luke AFB growth survey & share your input

In preparation for the mission-critical expansion of Luke Air Force Base, the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) needs your input on information regarding housing, transportation, jobs and education in the West Valley.

By participating in the Luke A...

Surprise becoming hotbed for youth sports tourism as industry booms

The City of Surprise will soon see a convergence of baseball talent from across the country as Surprise Stadium and Recreation Campus prepares for a series of nationally recognized youth baseball tournaments this summer season.  

Each tournament w...

City Seeking Applications for Voluntary Commission Vacancies

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

• Arts & Cultural Advisory Commission 
• Personnel Appeals Board 
• Veterans, Disability and Huma...

Hollyhock Library adjusts Saturday hours starting May 11

The Hollyhock Library will soon change its Saturday hours to better serve the community! 

Starting May 11, Hollyhock Library, located at 15844 N. Hollyhock Street, will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Tuesday and Thursday hours w...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 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,...

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...

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 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...