Surprise City Council Meeting: May 6, 2026 – Budget Adoption, DHS Letter, and Public Comments
Surprise City Council Meeting – May 6, 2026
Note: The raw transcript begins with the Mayor calling the meeting to order on Tuesday, May 5th, creating a discrepancy with the provided meeting date of May 6, 2026. This summary uses the date specified in the instructions but acknowledges the inconsistency.
The meeting was called to order with a prayer and recognition of the Shadow Ridge cheerleading squad as community champions. Multiple proclamations were presented: Professional Municipal Clerks Week (May 3–9, 2026), Small Business Week (May 3–9, 2026), Economic Development Week (May 4–8, 2026), and Youth Week (May 1–7, 2026). The City Court Academy celebrated its 10th anniversary, with 27 students from local high schools participating. The Youth Council member reported on upcoming events and the launch of a teen survey, noting growth from 20 to 35 members. The consent agenda (eight items) was approved unanimously. A public hearing was held for a new Series 10 liquor license (Gray's Craze) at 15278 West Bell Road, Suite 102; the council voted to recommend approval to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
Tentative Budget Adoption (FY2027)
- Presenter: Sandy Simmons, Finance Director
- Overview: The tentative expenditure limit budget totals $975.9 million (excluding transfers). The general fund operating budget is $259 million. Revenue growth is slowing: local sales tax revenue increased ~7% year-over-year (down from historical 13%), state shared revenue is projected at only 2% growth (down from 12%), and property tax rates continue to decline (from 0.5693 to 0.5534 per $100 assessed value).
- Challenges: State-imposed flat income tax, potential tax conformity, and high inflation (health insurance premiums rose 14.9% due to increased participation) are straining resources.
- Expenditures: Public safety (police, fire, court) accounts for 50% of general fund spending. The budget adds 19 new positions: 11 police, 2 fire, 2 transportation, 1 HR, 1 parks/recreation, and 2 public works (converted from part-time). One-time capital funding of $350 million is included for asset replacement, vehicle replacement, and major projects (police substation, new fire station, roadway design/construction).
- Service Adjustments: Due to constrained revenue, non-public safety departments are expected to maintain flat budgets, resulting in reduced service levels (fewer events, reduced contract services, etc.). The Police Department will transition some School Resource Officers (SROs) to patrol and investigations, relying more on the state-funded School Safety Officer (SSO) program (off-duty officers) to maintain school coverage. Currently 15 SROs serve; the SSO program covers nearly 30 schools. The Chief stated this change does not compromise school safety.
- Council Discussion: Councilman Judd expressed disappointment in reducing SROs but acknowledged the need to bolster patrol. Councilman Hastings emphasized fiscal responsibility and support for leveraging state funds. Councilman Haney thanked city staff for innovative solutions. The mayor noted that the budget passes $1 billion for the first time, with $15 million allocated for equipment/vehicles and $7.2 million in contingency reserves.
- Vote: Resolution 2026‑65 (adoption of tentative budget) passed unanimously.
Letter to the Department of Homeland Security
- Background: At the previous meeting, Councilman Judd requested a letter asking DHS to comply with city zoning laws regarding a detention facility (the former CoreCivic building). Since then, a lawsuit was filed by the Arizona Attorney General, and DHS paused operations.
- Discussion: Councilman Hastings sought legal advice about implications given pending litigation; a motion to recess into executive session for legal counsel passed. After executive session, further debate ensued. Several council members (Melton, Duffy, Judd) argued the letter is a respectful request to follow zoning and does not harm the city; others (Hastings) questioned its necessity now that litigation is underway.
- Vote: The motion to send the letter passed with a majority vote (the specific tally was not recorded in the transcript, but the Mayor declared a passed vote).
Public Comments
- Project Bacara (Data Center): Three speakers (Maureen Miller, Alexis Young, and a third who did not appear) opposed a proposed data center near Surprise. Concerns included massive water usage, air pollution from natural gas turbines (744 MW), proximity to Luke Air Force Base flight paths (danger zone with 170+ daily flights), safety risks, and environmental impact. Speakers urged opposition at the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 6.
- DHS/ICE Detention Facility: Numerous speakers (Alex Waddell, Bernadette Green, Alexa Coulter, Tina Malica, Natalie Bautista, Callie Overs, Ted Murphy, and others) expressed opposition. Themes included: accusations of council inaction and neutrality enabling harassment; humanitarian concerns (overcrowded, unsanitary conditions); strain on police and emergency services; failure to enforce zoning; and demands for a 3‑mile buffer zone, an intergovernmental agreement, and public safety plans. One speaker (Lisa Everett) defended the council, urging respect and noting that most authority lies with federal officials. Another speaker (Greg German) raised unrelated issues (park generator, recycling bins, e‑bike safety). The public comment period lasted 30 minutes.
Future Agenda Items
- Councilman Judd requested a discussion on the history and current use of construction sales tax, with possible action, for the next meeting. Seconded and approved.
Council Reports
- Councilman Haney (District 1): Provided an update on the WM Recycling Center fire. External debris fully extinguished; removal expected by May 6. Demolition anticipated within two weeks.
- Councilman Melton: Announced that the City of Surprise Water Services team won 7–8 of 15 statewide awards at the recent water conference, recognizing outstanding operators.
- Councilman Hastings: Thanked city leadership and public safety personnel for their work during recent emergencies.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Tentative expenditure limit budget (Resolution 2026‑65) for FY2027.
- Approved: Letter to DHS requesting compliance with city zoning.
- Approved: Future agenda item on construction sales tax.
- Actions Taken: Consent agenda approved; liquor license recommendation forwarded; all proclamations presented.
- Next Steps: Final budget adoption and public hearings scheduled for June 2 and June 16, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening. I like to call this regular city council meeting on Tuesday, May 5th to order. Tonight we have one of our planning and zoning commissioners to lead us in the in a prayer. So Lisa. Go ahead. It's an honor to be able to give the prayer this evening. Um this Thursday is the National Day of Prayer, and I'm just asking everyone to not only this evening, but pray every day, but especially Thursday for our nation. I realize there are many faiths in the room. I am Catholic, so I'm going to pray in my tradition. Heavenly Father, we come before you tonight, humbled, recognizing that we are all equally flawed and in need of your grace. Guide each of us to seek resolute reconciliation with you and one another, so we may serve with humility, compassion, and truth. Lord, we ask for an end to political violence in our city, our nation, our state, and throughout the world. Calm hearts that are angry, soften words that divide, and remind all of us that every person is created in your image and worthy of dignity and respect. Grant wisdom to those who engage in political conflict. Amen. Oh, after report. Yep. So tonight I want to bring up our community champion. It is the uh Shadow Ridge cheerleading squad. If you want to join me up here. So go ahead. So while they're coming up, I just wanted to uh recognize the coach, Coach Colton. Is he here tonight? Coach Colton. And he's you recently came from California, is what it says on the card. But uh and he won championships there, but here at Shadow this year, he's won two, which was the Partners stunt in November, and then the uh co-ed show chair this February, which is what we're recognizing you for. So I just wanted to come in and say, well, thank you, Paul, for doing what you're doing, representing the city. Thank you at the highest level, and say thank you. So let's all congratulate them on being community. We're not here right now. All right, so we have a few proclamations tonight. We're gonna start with the professional municipal clerks week, and we have your team here tonight. If you want to join me up here, we're gonna present it to our city clerk Christy and her team and so the the clerk's office does a lot. Uh prepare the records, they run elections, uh oversee the meetings, post agendas, and just do uh city historian, just a lot of work that they do. So for us to take a moment to recognize all of their work through this proclamation means I know it means a lot to me, the council, and everybody here in the city. So from the office of the mayor, whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk, a time-honored and vital part of our local government, exists throughout the world and is the oldest among public servants. And whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk provides a professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies, and agencies of government at multiple levels. And whereas professional municipal clerks have pledged to do to be ever mindful of their neutrality and their impartiality, rendering equal service to all while serving as the information center for local government and community. And whereas professional municipal clerk clerks continually strive to improve the administration of affairs of the office of the personnel, professional municipal clerks through participation in education, programs, seminars, workshops, annual meetings of their state, county, and international professional organizations. And whereas it is most appropriate that we recognize their accomplishments of the office of the professional municipal clerk. Now, therefore, I, Kevin Sarter, mayor of the city of surprise, do hereby proclaim May 3rd through the 9th, 2026, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week. The next one we're gonna do is fancy because it's in a frame, but it's a small business week, and we have Steve Kaiser, is he here? If you could join me up here, uh Steve Kaiser is a president and CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association. How are you? Thanks for coming. Yeah. So from the office of the mayor, whereas small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and are vital to the strength, resilience, and vibrancy of our community. And whereas, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are more than 33 million small businesses in the United States, representing 99.9% of all businesses employing nearly half of the nation's private workforce. Whereas the in Arizona, more than 640,000 small businesses employ over 1.1 million people, contributing significantly to the state's economic vitality.
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