Surprise commission approves 2026 Community Legend Awards timeline and forms subcommittee

The Surprise Veterans Disability and Human Services Commission voted June 10 to approve the 2026 Surprise Community Legend Awards application and timeline, and to form a subcommittee to review nominations.

Staff presented the recognition program and eligibility rules, saying nominees must have contributed to improving life for vulnerable Surprise residents and that individual nominees should be Surprise residents for at least two years. Applications are scheduled to open June 17 and close July 22, 2026 at 5 p.m.; staff will accept online submissions at surpriseaz.gov/communitylegend and paper applications on request.

The program will accept letters of support, biographical information and a single supporting video of up to three minutes. Staff proposed that a subcommittee of three commissioners vet submissions and bring recommendations to the full commission; commissioners discussed whether past winners should be eligible and asked staff to post previous winners on the program webpage.

A motion "to approve the 2026 Surprise Community Legend Awards application and timeline, form a subcommittee, and address prior‑winner considerations as discussed" was moved by Commissioner Bilcek and seconded by Commissioner Wisniewski. The motion passed after an affirmative voice vote.

Staff said they will coordinate promotional outreach with the marketing and communications team, share materials with schools, faith‑based organizations and veterans groups, and send a memo to city council notifying winners. The commission also discussed presenting winners at the Golden Rule and Interfaith breakfast on Sept. 16 if the timetable remains in place.

The commission formed a subcommittee to begin application review and asked staff to prepare promotional materials and a web page listing previous winners.