Chris Judd: Surprise City Council District 6 — August newsletter

Surprise District 6 City Councilmember Chris Judd.

City of Surprise

OPINION — After taking a brief break in July, I am excited to reconnect with you and share the latest news and updates from our community. As we head into August, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved, enjoy local events and stay informed about City projects and initiatives. Thank you for taking the time to read this month's newsletter.

Inside This Issue:

Economic Development Update

• Now Open in Surprise!

News & Updates

• McMicken Dam
• Colorado River Reduction: What it Means for Surprise
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection
• White Tank Mountains Conservancy

July Highlights

• Independence Day Celebration
• America’s Sweethearts at the Vista

Current Events

• Surprise Day of Service
• Landscape & Water Efficiency Workshops
• Surprise Arts
• Fire First Fridays
• Community Meetings
• City Council Meetings

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Now Open in Surprise!

• La-Z-Boy – 16350 W. Cactus Rd.
• Graze Craze – 15278 W. Bell Rd., Suite 102
• Men’s Warehouse – 16340 W. Waddell Rd., #104
• The Window Depot – 13270 W. Bell Rd., Suite 100
• Angie’s Prime Grill – 14183 W. Bell Rd.
• Degree Wellness – 16427 W. Cactus Rd, Suite 117
• Elite Nail Salon – 16427 W. Cactus Rd., Suite 115
• Head Right Brewing Company – 14312 W. Waddell Rd.
• Heartland Dental (Asante Trails) – 23350 N. 163^rd Ave., Suite 100
• Hello Sugar – 13276 N. Prasada Pkwy., Suite 130
• Port of Subs – 16640 W. Cactus Rd., Suite 112 
• Reformed Pilates – 16427 W. Cactus Rd., Suite 129 
• Southern Steer Butcher – 16853 N. 145th Ave., Suite 161 
• Take 5 Oil – Cactus 303 – 16590 W. Cactus Rd. 
• Take 5 Oil – Surprise Farms Gateway – 16771 W. Bell Rd.
• Elevate Trampoline Park – 14537 W. Grand Ave., Suite 200

Save the Date: Spark Surprise Opens October 1!
Mark your calendars for the morning of Thursday, October 1, as the City of Surprise officially opens Spark Surprise (14462 W. Elm St. Suite 143), our new home for entrepreneurship and small business success. Whether you're dreaming of starting a business, growing an existing one or simply wanting to support our local entrepreneurs, this exciting new resource is designed to help our business community thrive. Join us for a grand opening celebration and discover all that Spark Surprise has to offer. More details are coming soon!

NEWS & UPDATES

McMicken Dam Update

We are moving forward with plans to transform thousands of acres surrounding McMicken Dam into a premier recreational and open-space destination. My vision includes an extensive network of trails, a regional park, an archery range, wildlife corridors and preserved natural areas to serve our growing community. The area is about 12 miles long and extends from Peoria Avenue, west of Zanjero Trails, all the way to Grand and Deer Valley. The Parks Master Plan will help guide its use.

Colorado River Reduction: What it Means for Surprise

The federal government has released new preliminary numbers on Colorado River shortages and Arizona’s expected water cutbacks. The details aren't final — we're still waiting on the final Post-2026 Colorado River Operations plan — but a reduction in our Colorado River water is coming.

Will Surprise residents see a shortage at the tap? No. Here's why:

1. Multiple water sources. Surprise relies primarily on groundwater, not the Colorado River, for its drinking water.
2. A water savings account. For decades, Surprise has stored Colorado River water underground. We currently have about 15 years' worth in reserve. A 20% cut to our river allocation will slow how much we can add to those reserves each year, but we won't need to draw from them.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

The City of Surprise offers Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection for residents to help protect the environment by properly disposing of items that may contain harmful chemicals. 

You can request an appointment for HHW collection pickups right from your driveway. Pickups are scheduled from February through November.

The collection of materials is split into two types and scheduled separately. One pick-up is for electronic HHW, and another is for all other HHW. Please review the list of acceptable and unacceptable items before scheduling your collection date at surpriseaz.gov/HHW.

Upcoming Pickup Periods

• Aug. 10 - 13, 2026
• Sept. 14 - 17, 2026
• Oct. 12 - 15, 2026
• Nov. 2 - 5, 2026
• Feb. 8 - 11, 2027
• Mar. 8 - 11, 2027
• Apr. 5 - 8, 2027
• May 10 - 13, 2027
• Jun. 7 - 10, 2027

Other options to dispose of household hazardous waste and latex paint

• Motor oil – Please contact your local auto parts store or shop. Typically, these establishments will dispose of your used oil free of charge.
• Propane tanks (grill) – You can drop them off at most propane refill or exchange locations. 
• Latex paint – Properly dispose of small quantities of latex paint by removing the lid and letting it dry. When you are sure it's dry, place it in a bag and discard it with your regular household trash.
• Lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries (power tools, laptop batteries, etc.) – These are accepted for drop off at most big box hardware stores for no charge. A list of locations can be found at batterysafetynow.org.

White Tank Mountains Conservancy

As chair of the White Tank Mountains Conservancy (WTMC) Board, I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible work this organization does to protect one of our region's greatest natural treasures. Every year, I look forward to attending Diamond in the Desert, an event that brings together community members who share a commitment to preserving the beauty, wildlife and open spaces of the White Tank Mountains. I hope you'll consider joining us in supporting this important mission.

WTMC is uniquely positioned to address one of the most pressing challenges: protecting extraordinary biodiversity while supporting development in one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions. WTMC proactively advances sustainable development through science-based education on wildlife corridor data and collaboration with developers, municipalities and land managers.

WTMC's work is made possible through grants and the generosity of volunteers and donors. You can make a difference by contributing your time, your financial support or both. Join us for our signature fundraising event, the Diamond in the Desert, on October 28 at The Corral at White Tank Ranch, nestled at the base of the beautiful White Tank Mountains. To learn more, visit wtmconservancy.org.  

JULY HIGHLIGHTS

Independence Day Celebration

The City of Surprise invited the community to celebrate Independence Day at Surprise Community Park and Mark Coronado Park with an evening of food, music and fireworks!

In honor of America's 250th anniversary, guests were entertained with a fireworks display that was bigger and better than ever.

Thank you to our Parks & Recreation team for putting on another successful Fourth of July event for our residents!

America’s Sweethearts at the Vista

As part of our Surprise America 250 celebration, Surprise Arts brought America’s Sweethearts and their timeless harmonies to The Vista Center for the Arts on July 3. The New York City-based trio had the audience clapping and singing along to classics like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy while celebrating America’s musical heritage through colorful costumes, crystal-clear vocals and plenty of old-fashioned fun. It was an unforgettable evening that perfectly kicked off Independence Day celebrations in Surprise.

CURRENT EVENTS

Surprise Day of Service

Join us August 12 at St. Mary’s Food Bank to assist with sorting and packing food, assisting clients and packing Kid's Cafe meals. Volunteer opportunities start at 7:15 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and noon. Youth ages 12 and over are invited to participate, however all participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration is required through St. Mary’s Foodbank; this process will require you to create an account on their website first. For questions about this event or volunteer opportunities, please call 623.222.1612.

Landscape & Water Efficiency Workshops

Water conservation classes are being offered to help residents understand desert adaptive plants and how to properly take care of them. Classes are held at the Surprise Water Education Center, 16126 N. Civic Center Plz. unless otherwise noted.

Registration is required to attend. For more information visit surpriseaz.gov/WaterConservation.

• Aug 8 | Eye-Catching Plants for the Desert Garden | 9 a.m.
• Aug 29 | Landscape Design for Reduced Maintenance | 9 a.m.
• Sep 5 | Troubleshooting Common Home Water Leaks | 9 a.m.
• Sep 19 | Growing Roses in the Desert | 9 a.m.
• Sep 26 | Irrigation Maintenance, Troubleshooting, & Repair | 9 a.m.

Surprise Arts 2026 - 2027 Season Announcement

The City of Surprise invites the community to the 2026 - 2027 Surprise Arts Presents season, launching this fall at The Vista Center for the Arts. The lineup brings a range of live performances to Surprise, offering opportunities to experience music, comedy, dance and theater close to home.

2026 - 2027 Season Lineup
The full season includes a mix of nationally recognized performers and unique live experiences:

• Sons of Serendip - September 26
• Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic - October 17
• Ambrosia - October 24
• Greg Fitzsimmons: Comedy - November 6
• Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque - November 7
• Mariachi Herencia de México: A Mariachi Christmas - December 19
• Alfreda Sings: Divas of Soul with the West Valley Symphony - January 16
• The Little Mermen and the Princess Pals - February 13
• The Odd Couple: Produced by Arizona Frontline Theater - February 13 - 14
• Good Times Bad Times: The Led Zeppelin Experience - February 27
• Andy Woodhull: Comedy - April 16
• Convergence Ballet Company - April 17
• Good Co. - May 1

Get tickets at surprisearts.com!

Fire First Fridays

The Surprise Fire-Medical Department is offering free life-saving knowledge and training. These classes aim to provide attendees with basic emergency response training in a comfortable and stress-free environment so community members will know how to start helping while waiting for emergency crews. 

To register and get more information, visit surpriseaz.gov/FireFirstFridays. Please note, registration forms open two weeks before the class date. The maximum class size is 40 people for each session. Participants must be 12 years old or older, and a registered adult must accompany attendees aged 12 - 17.

Community Meetings

Join me for my next Community Meeting on August 12 at 6 p.m. at Tap House Sports Grill, located at 13699 N. Litchfield Rd.

Our next joint Community Meeting (D3 & D6) is on September 5 at 9 a.m. at Head Right Brewing, 14312 W. Waddell Rd.

Let's discuss the latest City issues and answer any questions you may have.

Please check my webpage at surpriseaz.gov/District6 for updates to my meeting schedule.

City Council Meetings

The next City Council Meeting is September 1 at 6 p.m. There are no additional meetings scheduled in August. The public is welcome to attend in person, or you can tune in on surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV, the City of Surprise Government Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfSurprise or on Cox channel 11.