[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6122853,"mediaKeyId","2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb","parentId",2693933,"title","Residents urge transparency on casino public‑safety responses and demand constitutional training after police video controversy","audioSeconds",981,"startMs",5029000,"endMs",6010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb&start=5029&end=6010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb/thumbnail_5029000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122853/Surprise/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Residents-urge-transparency-on-casino-publicsafety-responses-and-demand-constitutional-training-after-police-video-controversy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122853-f6f9877266f1dc40a79df6bd443cfa39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203461&Signature=ZzLbnH~lINerdwtC5cMjLhFGoS1UmiP0hpKzk1bbAGFL39WS03TYoUpq1YoI-Ibeuv1igJFd9QXmGBL0egeY6bDIrml3~DQO2rwQ4eqDPS6PoAjD~RdbArE0ngTJZxXtQYwcSHM~jqWLQSO2dmf6yvmFpzYnMbE7zZqo3r6EDA1S0p~Eb8qWzf-EIZD~dSVOoWW8cCGnWJMZ112Tl~-t5uvtDOIcXiHvCN7YWs~uUpq4JQBs9dzom8Sk2L0HZwyq8WaoITpRxPE-hwO52ngC6qQIklkv38CzFdJJJx8bk74XOL1eSfelxqXIRahZkWvvyd7wAOCovQYOLgM6x~kNBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Surprise, AZ","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","During the Jan. 21 call to the public, multiple residents pressed the City Council on public‑safety coverage for the Desert Diamond White Tanks casino and on police conduct after a widely discussed video involving a local police response.

James Ellis, a Surprise resident, asked whether the city has a written agreement with the reservation or casino governing Surprise police and fire responses, whether that agreement is verbal or written, and whether the city is being compensated for services. Ellis said he has seen Surprise police and a Surprise all‑hazards fire unit responding to incidents near the casino since its opening and expressed concern that call volume tied to casino operations could increase response times in southern Surprise. He proposed that the city and the casino negotiate funding for a medical response (MR) unit — a four‑person unit with ALS staffing that can respond to medical emergencies and provide extra manpower on large incidents — and said the casino could pay for such an apparatus under automatic‑aid responses.

Several other speakers addressed police conduct and the release of an internal video. John Goodnow said the council should require constitutional training for police officers and criticized a police chief for publicly disputing community accounts of an arrest; he challenged the council to mandate training so officers understand the First Amendment protections they swore to uphold.

Paula Anderson urged revision of the city’s public‑meeting rules to avoid language that could invite litigation and to ensure rules conform to First Amendment precedents. Another public commenter used profanity during remarks as an asserted exercise of free speech; speakers at the podium had sharply differing views about whether the chief’s actions warranted discipline or resignation. Grande Johnson urged the chief to resign, saying the chief doubled down on a mistake rather than acknowledging it.

City staff responded on one point: the City Manager directed the Fire Chief to address Mr. Ellis’s questions about automatic‑aid responses and compensation. The council did not take any immediate formal action on the public comments; multiple council members said they had heard residents’ concerns and requested staff follow up.

What was said (examples):

• James Ellis (resident): “Does the city of Surprise have a contract to provide public safety responses to the reservation casino that’s outside our city limits? Is it a verbal agreement or written agreement? If we do, how much is the city being compensated…?”

• John Goodnow (resident): “How about we make constitutional training mandatory for the police? … If every one of your police officers can't recall the 5 protections codified in the First Amendment right off the top of their head, what are they doing with the badging and gun?”

• Paula Anderson (resident): urged corrective changes to public meeting rules to avoid constitutional conflicts and taxpayer exposure to lawsuits.

Council members asked staff to follow up on the casino‑response questions and to return with information; no council motion or formal vote resulted from public comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting - January 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Jan. 21 Surprise City Council meeting several residents used the call‑to‑public period to press the city for transparency about public‑safety responses to the Desert Diamond White Tanks casino and to demand mandatory constitutional training for police after a contested internal video.","taxTitle","Surprise, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2566,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122857,"Jack Hastings selected vice mayor; sworn in during Surprise City Council meeting",171,1471000,1642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb&start=1471&end=1642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb/thumbnail_1471000.jpg","/articles/6122857/Surprise/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Jack-Hastings-selected-vice-mayor-sworn-in-during-Surprise-City-Council-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122857-f02847e4f1b9b48a56937679485db739/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203461&Signature=m1ZCZ2RJnQLYuJUWUev4fFTceH3EaJ5Kkc4vB3Vqe5JeRtHJwf-8vo8BIwITwEgobEVNlidUDFQv6dHy9iIV6NQA1sK1uJkwVc2A3sO8I~kdjOI85jjjwWneDK~raBHjfLDUvKCwopKatxvX7~9LCv1Yg4cV-kiiLaWaIL-tjqNJuFD0IkbQ653VcaKeScvfvicTtga-Tl0YkVcsFwE0D4Aq0r6z-EnensD-frp0jRcZOK-1Eijz~L2MvhDRdK5st8kJpyxez7YCq2XGwlRXjH-wfgeA19MhpFtGFN7IFvYetwQkRTN2RIxaTnm1x8r0-j14PCGKe1~wtade~z32IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Surprise City Council selected Councilmember Jack Hastings as vice mayor and administered the oath of office at the Jan. 21 meeting.

The City Clerk opened nominations under City Code §2‑41; a council member nominated Hastings and the council voted. The clerk earlier had explained that the selection process allows any councilmember except the mayor to serve and that councilmembers would vote by written ballot if needed; a runoff would be required if no candidate received a majority. On Jan. 21 the council voted and the clerk announced the selection.

Councilmember Jack Hastings was sworn in at the dais. Hastings told the council and audience he was honored to serve and thanked colleagues and residents of District 5. “It’s truly an honor,” Hastings said. He outlined priorities including funding public safety, supporting job growth and maintaining low taxes while providing essential services.

The council’s selection was unanimous, and Hastings will serve until he resigns, vacates his seat or the council selects another member to serve as vice mayor.","Councilmember Jack Hastings was chosen by the council to serve as vice mayor and took the oath of office at the Jan. 21 meeting; Hastings said he would focus on public safety, job growth and fiscal restraint.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122862,"Council adopts 2025 legislative agenda prioritizing transportation, local control and water",1065,1944000,3009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb&start=1944&end=3009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb/thumbnail_1944000.jpg","/articles/6122862/Surprise/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-adopts-2025-legislative-agenda-prioritizing-transportation-local-control-and-water","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122862-01ddd0a4f4b587a85bab59024eec6ee2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203461&Signature=AIDEt5fEIvKf3IylEjsNzjlprkmqX9nsSK2l1Awjkk-qRFFZetWJvMDOyMy~fIZV1FnCnzFw427CGdlmj84MfhwfXW5K3jjyk9ZoripzwoQ84jiAXiurnUxZR~CBs7vppygO7NayQNmZyXSw~KYI5ZXimvl-pMogwdQ1yKQwTZ3yRu2fYIx~KRA6EGL0kCnTBHCumeCPonG0iZuWmeZfq~fqMsDuxjLhb9DY7e9P~DxQDaVO~6mKvEklKLj8oHRvgouZOFMYXBqRmOXd47TqdvlZcMpVStlXXyhg4JsOCkKn2FdWvl-zRKnt109lD6BZK1frbd34k-h2cCOmtQ997A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Surprise City Council unanimously approved its 2025 legislative agenda on Jan. 21, directing city staff to represent those priorities at the Arizona State Legislature and with federal partners.

City staff described the agenda as organized under several pillars intended to protect the city’s “quality of life” and to preserve local funding and local decision‑making authority. The agenda highlights transportation improvements and regional coordination, protection of state shared revenues and Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF), public safety support, economic development tools, water and sustainability measures and advocacy for the long‑term mission of Luke Air Force Base.

“Our purpose here is to define your priorities as a body, and then I represent those at the state capitol,” the staff presenter, Jody, said during the presentation. He reviewed the city’s three state legislative districts, noted recent session statistics—1,663 bills introduced in 2024 with 258 signed by the governor—and described multi‑year efforts behind several transportation appropriations in Surprise.

Transportation ranked prominently on the agenda. Staff described a multi‑year sequence that led from tours and feasibility studies to near‑term improvements and state appropriations; the presenter said Surprise retained $750,000 for near‑term improvements in 2024 and is seeking additional appropriations in 2025 to advance design for a traffic interchange in a high‑growth area.

The agenda also urges protection of local funding streams such as HURF, the vehicle license tax and state shared revenues, support for orderly, growth‑paying‑for‑itself land‑use policies, and collaboration on water‑resource conservation. The city indicated it will monitor several housing bills and related proposals that could affect local zoning and growth management.

The council moved, seconded and approved the agenda by unanimous vote; staff said the legislative agenda provides counsel with a clear mandate for advocacy during the 2025 session.","By unanimous vote the Surprise City Council adopted its 2025 legislative agenda, listing priorities including transportation funding, preservation of local decision‑making, protection of key state funding streams, water and sustainability measures, and support for the Luke Air Force Base mission.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122867,"Council approves addendum to buy 27 acres near 180th and Deer Valley for future Fire Station 310",874,4163000,5037000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb&start=4163&end=5037","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb/thumbnail_4163000.jpg","/articles/6122867/Surprise/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-approves-addendum-to-buy-27-acres-near-180th-and-Deer-Valley-for-future-Fire-Station-310","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122867-a40aca4efafc8c4d8694aced0556135e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203461&Signature=O7YvpT1FucP5Fc~9ZOfdSMNlO9Z4gNV9kBVMGS8JDyHKadPprs~nhpGyxMO114IHqBoigsu8rhWJl1nfJCbax-eyPnRBY0U9OA3edM1m2iyuTRydT1HDkqO6bUUcPDJnaJBqadVZwkOJVH6eT7jd1JuPs6yuHwDIv4xI~ssQB4PatZgaewAY7n9gcULpXMBPKkW-o9RAgd97XbZuRp69m~V2ZO34UOb8BRrbJRvIex22c08rPbMt~H9QC6W7vD850RdIbwDXcRK3bp2YvaFw6heLwG08~-qFYNdRSw6ZW2~NRoLbdfPV4y1Zla8os8-JFOZkjri~6nyn2aLKzdbOVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Surprise City Council on Jan. 21 approved an addendum to a real estate purchase contract for approximately 27 acres near 180th Avenue and Deer Valley Road, moving the close of escrow earlier and updating contract signatories. Council approved the addendum by unanimous vote.

City fire leaders said about five acres of the site will be dedicated to build Fire Station 310, a neighborhood‑style, four‑bay station intended to improve response reliability for north and west Surprise. The station is included in the voter‑approved bond program; staff outlined a project schedule calling for design beginning in fiscal 2026, construction in fiscal 2027 and an expected opening in fiscal 2028.

Fire Department leadership described staffing and apparatus plans for the long‑range buildout. The project funding includes a second ladder truck for the city; staff said the final apparatus assignment may shift among stations to optimize coverage once the new facility is online. The city plans to begin hiring for the new station this summer and to stagger hiring so recruits complete academy and field training prior to the station opening.

“By adding that station up north, what that will do for the folks down south will ensure that their resources are more reliable,” the Fire Chief said, explaining that current automatic‑aid deployments to northern calls can deplete resources elsewhere in the city.

Council members asked for follow‑up data showing expected call volumes for the area, projected changes in response times and reliability measures once the station opens. The chief said staff will provide pre‑opening call‑volume estimates and post‑opening performance metrics.

The motion to approve the addendum passed unanimously; staff said the acquisition is the first step in a multi‑decade planning effort for infrastructure and services in northwest Surprise and that most future projects on the site will require separate funding decisions and scheduling.","The council unanimously approved an addendum accelerating escrow on a 27‑acre purchase near 180th Avenue and Deer Valley Road; the site will reserve five acres for Fire Station 310 and start a multi‑year buildout of public safety and other infrastructure in north Surprise.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122872,"Surprise council approves transfer of Circle City water rights, increases city CAP allocation",779,3344000,4123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb&start=3344&end=4123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2693933-46d99f75e20661959b0aa8adab2327bb/thumbnail_3344000.jpg","/articles/6122872/Surprise/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Surprise-council-approves-transfer-of-Circle-City-water-rights-increases-city-CAP-allocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122872-307f0e25b3df92599ca25966e9a7bd91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203461&Signature=Syqzs3OoTxb5JBY6Aw2ttGKdVa-U2YSkMnQKzmauuF3h~JvLhA-q5FnOjjAQytAWGylA8P6I1YyTZplMoZr-xAn2FHTQyVIQPkXBXsf-16Q8pQvf2Z7t0DZZztG3hmu2TGbyCgx43cFkKujwybTIN4cqECAMNXECycNhiC~4CmjCMdkbB-42HbBD8TzFX7Okf5GUeK7rSGf~7VZP94g3dwk2x8ovpGm5mk6meq7IvJqjPV-HzCvFDt8Y2bdnbJ0CVHq0LkAfSKXmcpxfkgk23suCJeTNAh2Eyamz~cKDq5VoAnv9lIskZ8bteJCcmr-eRQnmuELBmPu-OFygAp42rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Surprise City Council on Jan. 21 unanimously approved resolutions to assign Circle City Water Company LLC’s Central Arizona Project municipal and industrial water entitlement to the City of Surprise and to amend the city’s CAP subcontract to absorb that volume.

City staff said the acquisition transfers 3,932 acre‑feet of Colorado River water to Surprise and will raise the city’s CAP allocation from 10,249 to 14,181 acre‑feet. The City Council approved resolution 2025‑12 (assignment of the Circle City entitlement) and resolution 2025‑11 (the subcontract amendment) by unanimous voice vote.

Why it matters: the purchase gives Surprise a significant near‑term increase in Colorado River supply at a time of long‑term water planning across the region. Staff said the transaction is the culmination of a process that began in 2009 and was supported by a 2018 voter measure to proceed with acquisition of Circle City Water Company.

City staff provided operational and financial context. The acquisition price was identified in voter materials as $15,000,000; staff said that the cost was budgeted through the city’s water resource impact fee program (project P71260) so the purchase would not be paid from general taxpayer or ratepayer revenue. Staff estimated ongoing operations and maintenance for the acquired system at about $72,000 per year and the carrying cost associated with the additional CAP water at roughly $1,400,000 per year.

“Although we would have liked to close on this much sooner, this time has allowed us to save up and have the cash necessary,” a city staff member working on the transaction said. He described an operational readiness plan that includes sanitary surveys, cybersecurity and physical‑security upgrades, backup generators, remote monitoring and distribution system improvements. The city budgeted approximately $900,000 in a capital project (P71530) for immediate enhancements to Circle City’s infrastructure.

Staff said Circle City currently uses about 23,000,000 gallons per year, and that the system serves roughly 292 active water customers with about 74 platted but undeveloped lots remaining. The city plans to shadow Circle City’s operator, complete upgrades and — if regulatory and closing timelines hold — to take ownership by July 1, 2025. Staff also said Circle City customers have not had a rate adjustment since 1988 and that bringing those customers immediately to Surprise rates would be about a 42% monthly increase; staff said the city will propose phased rate options and return to council in April with scenarios and, if needed, final rate setting by mid‑June.

Council members raised questions about the condition of Circle City’s infrastructure, likely timing of customer rate changes and the acquisition’s long‑term value to the city’s water portfolio. One council member noted that, compared with more recent purchases in the region, the 2018 price the city negotiated remains favorable; staff said comparable recent transactions have cost materially more per acre‑foot.

The council vote: both resolutions were approved by unanimous vote. Staff said the city will return to council with rate‑setting recommendations and additional operational updates in May and when details of the transition are finalized.

Looking ahead: staff said upgrades to the Circle City system would begin immediately after closing, and council members asked that staff provide a detailed timeline and impact analysis for Circle City customers when the rate scenarios return to the council docket.","The City of Surprise voted unanimously to accept Circle City Water Company’s Central Arizona Project (CAP) municipal and industrial water entitlement and to modify the city's CAP subcontract; the acquisition adds about 3,932 acre‑feet of Colorado River water and expands Surprise’s CAP allocation to 14,181 acre‑feet.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge transparency on casino public‑safety responses and demand constitutional training after police video controversy

Jack Hastings selected vice mayor; sworn in during Surprise City Council meeting

Council adopts 2025 legislative agenda prioritizing transportation, local control and water

Council approves addendum to buy 27 acres near 180th and Deer Valley for future Fire Station 310

Surprise council approves transfer of Circle City water rights, increases city CAP allocation