City council is considering splitting Surprise veterans, disability and human services commission into two advisory bodies

City staff told the Surprise Veterans Disability and Human Services Commission on Aug. 13 that the City Council's boards-and-commissions subcommittee has asked staff to explore structuring two advisory bodies: a Veterans Advisory Commission and a Disability & Human Services Advisory Commission. The proposal aims to increase opportunities for residents to serve on advisory panels by creating two seven-member commissions instead of the single seven-member body now in place. Staff said council member Haney raised the idea after noting heavy applicant interest in veteran-focused service slots. The council subcommittee asked for the commission's input before the item goes to a September workshop. Commissioners expressed broad support for separating the commissions so each could develop deeper, more sustained work on its subject. Several commissioners said specialized, subject-focused groups could expand outreach and accelerate programs for veterans and people with disabilities. Commissioner Manuel said the city's geographic size and diverse needs suggest splitting responsibilities could improve service reach. Speakers also warned of implementation risks and timing conflicts. Multiple commissioners and the chair urged staff and council to avoid disrupting ongoing event planning and federally required public hearings, naming VetFest and the Veterans Day parade as active items that require continuity of staff support and commissioner engagement. One commissioner said quarterly meetings for new commissions would be too infrequent for event planning; others said quarterly meetings could work if subcommittees and roundtables continued to meet regularly. Staff described a model that would keep veterans and disability roundtables active and suggested holding quarterly commission meetings, with roundtables and subcommittees staged so work proceeds continuously. Staff also noted the commission's statutory role in reviewing the city's U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual action plan and five-year consolidated plan and said council expects one of the successor commissions to retain that public-hearing role because HUD grants require public comment. No formal action was taken; staff will convey the commission's feedback to the council subcommittee at a Sept. 2 workshop. If council directs the change, the city attorney and clerk's office will prepare code amendments and a recruitment timeline; commissioners should expect to be reappointed if they wish to continue serving.