2 Bonds 

QUESTION 1: 

Seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to $66,000,000. 

QUESTION 2: 

Seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to $34,000,000.

- If you aren't already registered to vote, the last day to register in order to be eligible to vote in this election is Tuesday, October 10th, 2023.

• Check your voter registration status at ezaz.org/vote

- Ballots will be mailed on October 11, 2023. The last day to request early ballot October 27 

- VOTED BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 7 p.m., November 7th. MAIL ballots by October 31st.

All registered voters that reside in the City of Surprise will receive a ballot by mail with voting instructions in the envelope.

- Implemented Covid Lockdown, Closed playgrounds, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and fitness areas because of Covid - SOURCE 

- Implemented Mask Mandates - SOURCE 

- Surprise is dedicated to reducing vehicle trips and miles traveled, implementing Road Diets through Complete Streets, and implementing 15-Minute Cities through Complete Neighborhoods Projects. Complete Streets reduces the amount of traffic to slow traffic, alter driving experiences, implement bike lanes, Bus Rapid Transit, and/or Light Rail. Surprise says, "The Transit element includes goals to reduce dependence on the private automobile in order to achieve multiple and interrelated goals..." Surprise also states, "Using public transit and active transportation options such as walking and biking reduces vehicle miles traveled, vehicle emissions, respiratory disease, and exposure to environmental contamination due to fuel and oil spills." The City is committed to implementing policy that will force residents to use Public Transit. - SOURCE 

- 15 Minute Cities and Road Diets restrict our ability to drive. - SOURCE 

- Surprise has implemented equitable housing and community services. - SOURCE 

- Equity teaches people and children that there is systemic racism, they are entitled to reparations and more because of the color of their skin. - SOURCE

The citizens of Surprise completed a survey with multiple measures demonstrating decline in Sense of Civic/Community Pride, Availability of Affordable Quality Food, Availability of Affordable Quality Mental Health Care, Quality of Service of Recycling & Yard Waste Pick-Up, Well-Designed Neighborhoods, Overall Design or Layout of Residential and Commercial Areas, Ease of Travel by Car, Ease of Travel by Bicycle, Ease of Walking, Traffic Flow on Major Streets, Overall Confidence in Surprise Government, and more. - SOURCE

-Surprise passed a $881.3 Million Budget for the 2024 fiscal year that started in July of 2023. 

- Surprise is hiring 77 full-time equivalent positions: 

-26 are going to Public Safety. "Funds to help crack down on the recent surge of illegal sober living homes is available. So is money for the WeRide microtransit program, which is offering free rides in its operating zone through Aug. 31. 

- The city also has set aside more money for pavement preservation, which is a never-ending battle in Surprise with its growing network of streets. 

- The Fire-Medical Department will receive new life-saving heart monitors, while public safety handheld radios will be replaced. It’s the first budget to fund the city’s new Transportation Department. City Manager Bob Wingenroth created the department last year to help the city deal with increased traffic problems in high-growth areas where roads aren’t keeping up with the population.

- The city’s ambitious capital improvement project program is also featured prominently in the budget. Projects include the construction of Fire Station 309 in west Surprise, various road improvements, a new city pool next to the fire station, a new city park and the purchase of two new ambulances." 

- SOURCE

Voters will be asked to say yes or no on Two Measures: 

QUESTION 1: 

Seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to $66,000,000. 

QUESTION 2: 

Seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to $34,000,000.

- This 2023 bond election tax impact of $0.2788 per $100 of assessed limited property value. 

- Shows up on your tax bill as secondary property tax. 

- Property taxes combined add up to thousands of dollars! 

- To view your current property tax liability, visit https://treasurer.maricopa.gov/Parcel/ParcelSearch.aspx

Surprise passed a $881.3 Million Budget for the 2024 fiscal year that started in July of 2023. Surprise is hiring 77 full-time equivalent positions: 26 are going to Public Safety.

- Once any outstanding Bonds and Overrides are repaid, you won't have to continue paying Secondary property taxes related to the bond. 

The citizens of Surprise completed a survey with multiple measures demonstrating decline in Sense of Civic/Community Pride, Availability of Affordable Quality Food, Availability of Affordable Quality Mental Health Care, Quality of Service of Recycling & Yard Waste Pick-Up, Well-Designed Neighborhoods, Overall Design or Layout of Residential and Commercial Areas, Ease of Travel by Car, Ease of Travel by Bicycle, Ease of Walking, Traffic Flow on Major Streets, Overall Confidence in Surprise Government, and more. - SOURCE

- Once any outstanding Bonds and Overrides are repaid, you won't have to continue paying Secondary property taxes related to the bond. 

- If the measures pass, the current Secondary tax rates will remain the same; however; 

- If the measures pass, the total amount of taxes paid will likely go higher if there is continued inflation related to property values.

It is a vote by the public to allow the City to issue more debt for projects. The Bonds are NOT a continuation and is a separate item on the property tax statement.

QUESTION 1: 

Surprise is a growing city, and with growth comes increased traffic. To reduce traffic congestion and improve safety, the City has identified five priority transportation improvement projects to fund with this $66 million bond. The City prioritized these projects based on a number of factors, such as traffic counts, traffic safety, current and future development and availability of alternative routes in an area. 

QUESTION 2: 

The City has identified three public safety projects that will help to maintain current levels of service and response times throughout the city. The projects will be located in northern Surprise where there is high growth, but will benefit the entire city, as resources are currently pulled into that area from other areas of Surprise. More information here: https://surpriseaz.gov/1320/Bond-2023

- If the bond measures are defeated, your landlord’s taxes will go down and could mitigate future rent increases. 

- Irrespective of being a property owner, we all want to see the kids receive a quality education. 

- To view your current property tax liability, visit https://treasurer.maricopa.gov/Parcel/ParcelSearch.aspx