Surprise City Council Candidates weigh in on taxes, growth, homelessness and more

Three of Surprise’s council districts have seats to fill this election season. Voters in Districts 2, 3 and 4 will select their representatives at City Hall on July 30 and are guaranteed to see two new faces in office in the coming term.

All three races are uncontested, handing one incumbent his reelection.

Together, the slate of new and returning officials will be tasked with shaping policies as Surprise faces rapid development and population growth, necessitating infrastructure improvements.

Surprise City Council incumbent Patrick Duffy is the sole candidate for his District 3 seat, meaning he will hold on to the seat he was first appointed to in September 2017.

Councilmember Ken Remley is not seeking reelection after representing District 4 for two consecutive terms, while Councilmember Aly Cline of District 2 is looking to become Surprise’s next mayor.

Two newcomers will fill Remley’s and Cline’s seats: Earle Greenberg and Johnny Melton.

Arizona election: Read our full election coverage of the Surprise City Council races

The Arizona Republic asked each candidate about their desire to run for local office, manage city finances and address Surprise’s infrastructure and traffic woes.

Duffy did not submit responses to our questions.

Here’s what the Districts 2 and 4 candidates, listed in alphabetical order, had to say. Some answers may have been slightly edited to meet agreed-to lengths for all.

Vision: Why are you running for Surprise City Council?

Why are you running for Surprise City Council? If elected, what will your first priority be?

Earle Greenberg (District 2): I want to keep my brain challenged while using my diverse experience and skills to positively contribute to Surprise’s future.

I recently attended nine weeks of the City Academy. Not only are all existing City services being fully utilized but some lack capacity, funding, and staff to meet the needs of a few segments of the community. I will do what I can to explore remedies to this. It needs to start with the voter approval of the 2040 General Plan because if you haven’t noticed, this city is growing fast.

I served as board president of Sun City Grand during the pandemic, making policies affecting 17,000 residents. Now I’m ready to dive into something bigger that benefits others. I did not decide to run because I had a personal agenda other than to make the highest and best use of my time in service to Surprise.

I had an eyes-wide-open realization that no matter how reasonable a decision seemed, there would always be some people who disagreed. My decision-making process of good analysis of good data equals good decisions will be no different as a council member for Surprise than it was as the president of The Grand.

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Patrick Duffy (District 3) did not respond.

Earle Melton (District 4): I’m running for this open seat because the voters need options. Priorities include: explore options to improve transportation egress (traffic light improvements); resolve the Original Town Site recharge rate structure; support public safety.

Taxing and spending: Where do the Surprise mayoral candidates stand?

New state policies will affect city budgets. If faced with a deficit, will you support raising taxes to maintain city services or cutting programs? Which specific services and/or taxes would you consider first and why?

Greenberg (District 2): Arizona's cut to Surprise revenue by $14.3 million would have necessitated a substantial reduction in services had Surprise not cut $2.5 million from the budget, raised the sales tax rate by 0.6% and reduced local property taxes 25%.

It is too easy for know-it-alls to accuse city staff of not doing enough to reduce the budget, when they are not the ones who are crunching numbers on a daily basis, because they don’t know what they don’t know.

Bureau of Labor Statistics for Phoenix metro shows the average annual household expenditure at about $70,000 a year, with about 12% or $8,400 affected by local sales tax. So, $8,400 equals $185 annually at the old tax. The new tax is $235. Annual increase: $50.

For homeowners, the city property tax goes down by 25%. My tax to Surprise is $203. New tax equals $152. I save $51. The annual effect of both tax changes to me equals $1.

Renters say, “What about me?” The state just eliminated rental tax, so for $2,000 rent, annual tax is $528. Deduct the increase in sales tax from rental tax savings and they are ahead $478 annually.

Duffy (District 3) did not respond.

Melton (District 4): Surprise City Council has just voted to raise sales tax to make up for the recent revenue shortfall. They have also just negotiated the revised impact fee schedule (fees paid by developers). Future shortfalls may have to be confronted differently since creating new taxes will be politically difficult. Budget discipline will have to be our first impulse.

Growth: How should Surprise ensure it can accommodate future growth?

The city’s current estimated population of 160,300 has grown by 12% since the 2020 census. MAG projects the population to reach 234,579 by 2030, a 46% increase. What first steps should the city be taking now to prepare Surprise’s infrastructure so it can accommodate that growth? How would you pay for it?

Greenberg (District 2): City staff has been proactively addressing future water supplies and will do even more future proofing when the 2040 Plan is approved by voters. Cities shouldn’t be in the business of paying for road buildouts. Infrastructure expansion and enhancement needs to be covered by the adjacent developers because it directly benefits their properties. They need to be the ones carrying the risk because they are the ones rewarded for that risk. It is the city's job to mitigate risk.

The commercial/housing/retail developments are the engines that drive the train. Schools, parks, libraries, police and firehouses are the caboose of the train because they come at the end. If they didn’t come at the end, taxpayers would have to pay for them before new residents or businesses moved in and that is not a reasonable burden to place on current residents. However, there are exceptions for safety like with the city filling in road gaps along Waddell and Cactus roads, adding an access point at Happy Valley Road and enhancing 163rd and Grand avenues. These improvements will alleviate current transportation issues and be paid for by the already approved $66 million bond.

Duffy (District 3) did not respond.

Melton (District 4): It’s important that Surprise voters approve Prop 479 (Prop 40 extension) to bring transportation dollars to our city. Specifically, these dollars will fund Loop 303-U.S. 60 intersection improvements.

Homelessness: What are the Surprise City Council candidates' plans to get more people off the streets?

Based on the latest homeless count, Surprise’s unsheltered population was 49, slightly above the average for the West Valley cities. The report also showed that the West Valley had far more unsheltered individuals compared to sheltered (483 to 176). What should Surprise be doing to get more of its homeless into shelter space? Do Surprise and the West Valley overall need to set up more shelters?

Greenberg (District 2): Surprise has been very proactive and has contracted resources for the homeless: surpriseaz.gov/1314/Homeless-Services. The city also convenes the Homeless Collaborative quarterly meeting to engage all stakeholders working to prevent and respond to homelessness. Fortunately, based on the population of Surprise, the homeless number is quite low.

Though there is a need in the West Valley for additional programs, no additional shelters are being sought in Surprise since there have been three since 2019: Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program (I-HELP), West Valley Housing Assistance Center by A New Leaf and Surprise HomeBase. Regardless, homeless prevention and increased rental assistance resources from the federal and state governments are needed.

How to get more homeless into shelters? Some just don’t want to go, which is likely related to insufficient mental health services in Arizona. Fortunately, House Bill 2782 would appropriate $50 million from AHCCCS to establish five behavioral health facilities for individuals experiencing homelessness. However, the 114th Arizona Town Hall created a comprehensive document on Mental Health, Substance Use and Homelessness for those interested in how communities need to work together to try to help move those in need to independence. aztownhall.org/114_Town_Hall

Duffy (District 3) did not respond.

Melton (District 4): I do not possess enough knowledge on this topic but I’m willing to keep an open mind. In the meantime, I will continue to support the Sober Living Home bill which, if enacted, will equip our city with more tools to respond to tangential issues.

Inspiration: Who shapes the Surprise City Council candidates' thinking?

Who in public life, past or present, do you admire most? Why? And what lesson do you draw from that person’s experience?

Greenberg (District 2): Since I was a child, I have had a love for inventions, creativity, building things, fixing things and science and have always admired Thomas Edison. Edison's inventions have had a profound impact on the industrialized world. From his invention of the light bulb and electric power generation to sound recording and the motion picture camera. His work has made it possible for us to accomplish so much of what we do today. He was also one of the first inventors to assemble teams of researchers and employees to achieve a common goal. This team spirit is something that is too easily forgotten, not only by many in government but by many in everyday life. It is something that should be taught to children and continually reinforced throughout life. The lesson that we can all draw from Edison is that everyone needs to learn to work more cooperatively together for the greater good.

Duffy (District 3) did not respond.

Melton (District 4): I am proud to call Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman a friend and role model. Despite the challenges he faced, he continued to serve with courage and integrity. His commitment to public service and love of country never wavered. I also want to thank my former State Sen. Rick Gray who took the time to mentor me and reinforce the importance of intellectual integrity. I will strive to serve the residents of Surprise with the very principles Clint and Rick demonstrated in their own lives.

Election integrity: Where do the Surprise City Council candidates stand?

Do you think Arizona elections are fairly run? Do you trust the results? Will you abide by them? Why or why not?

Greenberg (District 2): I don’t believe that what I think is relevant and I don’t speculate or make accusations without evidence. For me it is all about data and facts and what can be proven. No evidence has been provided by plaintiffs in any court cases to cause any judge or court to agree that Arizona elections were unfairly run. Therefore, I have no grounds on which to disagree and would abide by the results.

Duffy (District 3) did not respond.

Melton (District 4): Yes, I am confident in our election process. Maricopa County is fortunate to have dedicated election officials and volunteers who do the heavy lifting to deliver reliable election results. Special thanks to County Recorder Stephen Richer, the many Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center employees, and to Surprise City Clerk Kristi Passarelli and her staff.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Surprise City Council election: Q&A with Duffy, Greenberg and Melton