Surprise council moves $100,000 to tourism fund for Big 12 Baseball Championships

The Surprise City Council voted Feb. 17 to move $100,000 from general contingency into the tourism fund to help host the Big 12 Baseball Championships, a five‑day, single‑elimination tournament that organizers said will showcase top collegiate programs and drive hotel nights and local spending.

City tourism staff (Miss Perez) presented the request, explaining the tourism fund — paid for by transient lodging (hotel) taxes — only supports tourism‑related marketing and event reimbursements. The city's policy allows up to $100,000 per year in reimbursements to event partners; the package before council included a combination of hotel‑night and attendance reimbursements, operational support and marketing reimbursement categories.

Scott Draper, representing the Big 12 Conference, told council the event expects roughly 40,000 attendees across five days, about 3,500 hotel room nights and an estimated $3.5 million in economic impact; the conference plans national coverage on ESPN platforms. "We're excited to be a part of the Surprise community," Draper said, noting the Big 12's regional following and travel patterns for college baseball events.

Councilmember Judd asked about the funding source; Miss Perez confirmed the tourism fund derives from the city's transient lodging tax and is not general‑fund revenue. Councilmembers expressed support for the partnership and the city’s relationship with the Texas Rangers and other professional partners. Councilmember Duffy said the event is "what we needed" to grow sports tourism in Surprise.

Councilmember Judd moved to approve Resolution 2026‑25; a second was recorded and the clerk announced the motion passed. The resolution authorizes the tourism fund reimbursement structure for the Big 12 Championships (project N59130).