FY2014 Recommended Budget - City of Surprise

History of Surprise
Surprise, located just 45 minutes west of downtown Phoenix
along U.S. Route 60/State Highway 93, was founded on May
17, 1938 by Flora Mae Statler who purchased and subdivided
the original townsite. The former small farming village now
encompasses 108 square miles, including urban and
commercial developments, ranches, industrial, and business
parks. Surprise strives to achieve a balance between the
needs of residential communities and the growth of business
and industrial areas. Industrial growth zones are selected to
operate competitively, but harmoniously, with the residential
community.
Over the past 51 years, Surprise has grown from 500 residents
to a city of over 118,000 people, evolving from a small town
government to a regional governmental entity. The city offers a
broad range of living styles, from small family subdivisions to a
number of secluded ranches. Surprise also offers a number of
retirement communities that address the needs and lifestyles of active adults.
Besides year round sunshine and new, clean, safe neighborhoods, bustling Surprise offers excellent
opportunities to share our great southwestern lifestyle. You can check out awesome White Tank
Mountain Regional Park, where you can puzzle over ancient petroglyphs and hike to a seasonal waterfall,
or camp out under twinkling desert stars. Enjoy Spring Training in Surprise, when major leaguers for
many of the 12 Cactus League teams visit beautiful Surprise Stadium, home to the Texas Rangers and
Kansas City Royals. Play tennis at the Tennis and Racquet Complex featuring 25 tennis courts,
racquetball and table tennis. Surprise Aquatic Center is the perfect place to cool off in the one of the
pools featuring 2 slides and a zero depth play area for children. Enjoy our eight open to the public golf
courses, the region’s finest fully accessible community park, and year round events a fabulous 4th July
fireworks to December community wide Surprise Party.
Health and education are top priorities. You will find medical services at nearby Banner Hospitals and
several urgent care centers. Kindergarten through twelfth grade schools are run by the rapidly growing
Dysart Unified School District. Rio Salado Community College and the Communiversity at Surprise offer
collegiate classes in the city. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey:
92% of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 29% had a
bachelor's degree or higher.
Total school enrollment in Surprise was 26,000
o Nursery school and kindergarten enrollment was 3,599
o Elementary or high school enrollment was 22,230 children
o College or graduate school enrollment was 7,553
Surprise residents are employed in a variety of occupations including management, professional, and
related occupations 36%; sales and office occupations 29%; service occupations 17%, natural resources,
construction, and maintenance occupations 6%; and production transportation, and material moving
occupations 12% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey).
Excellence in municipal services is a city of Surprise standard. Surprise is a city that operates under the
Council/Manager form of government.
Values
We are Surprise!
Integrity Professional Accountable High Quality Services Customer Focused
Vision Statement
Develop a high standard of community life through shared vision, superior service, and sustainable
practices.
11
Year
End of the
Year
Population
Percentage
Change
2002 45,125 17%
2003 51,885 14%
2004 64,210 23%
2005 88,265 37%
2006 96,425 9%
2007 98,140 1%
2008 104,895 6%
2009 108,040 6%
2010 117,517 9%
2011 118,349 1%