Tax increase on table at next Surprise City Council meeting

What: Surprise City Council meeting

When: 6 p.m. (special meeting) and 6:15 p.m. (regular meeting)

Where: Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza

Information: surpriseaz.gov

The Surprise City Council appears poised to raise the sales tax in Surprise by more than a half percent, while reducing the primary property taxes across the city at its next meeting.

The Council will vote on the matter at its regular meeting at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 at City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza.

The City Council is considering an increase to certain transaction privilege tax categories from 2.2% to 2.8% to help offset an anticipated $14.3 million in annual revenue loss from the state.

However, the Council is also considering a 25% reduction to the city’s primary property tax rate, lowering it to $0.5693 from $0.7591 per $100 assessed limited property value.

Only Councilmember Jack Hastings voted against moving along the tax increase proposal when it first came up in April.

The Council will also hold a 6 p.m. special meeting to vote on the 2025 city budget, which will go over the $1 billion mark for the first time.

There will be no early work session meeting this week.

To watch many city meetings live remotely, visit surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv or the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise.

Cox channel 11 and Century Link channel 8513 will also carry the meetings live.

Agendas available at least 48 hours in advance at agendas.surpriseaz.gov.

Jason Stone

Former NAU Lumberjack who loves going to concerts (or I did), watching sports (or I did) and hanging out with friends (oh, never mind). I also enjoy backgammon, surfing and men who are not afraid to cry.