By City of Surprise
The registration deadline to vote on the approval of a franchise extension with EPCOR Water is Monday, October 4.
EPCOR is one of six water suppliers to the Town of Surprise and serves approximately one-third of Surprise’s homes and businesses.
The service area includes homes north of Bell Road, homes west of Loop 303, and Coyote Lakes to the east.
The November 2 election will not change EPCOR’s service area. The approval would allow EPCOR to construct, maintain and operate a drinking water distribution system and a wastewater collection, treatment and disposal system throughout the city’s public rights-of-way.
The franchise does not give the power to change the tariff of utilities.
Voters approved a 25-year agreement with EPCOR Water in 1995, but it must be extended to allow continued use.
If approved, EPCOR would pay a 2% franchise fee to the city, the same percentage it paid under the previous agreement. This money goes to the City’s General Fund, which pays for public safety, parks, street maintenance and more.
It will be a postal election for all voters in the town of Surprise, regardless of their water suppliers. All voters registered in Surprise will receive a ballot in the mail.
Other important dates include October 6, the day the ballots are mailed, and October 22, the last day to request a ballot by mail.
The last day to return a ballot is October 26 to arrive in time for polling day.
For more information on this election and to view the proposed franchise agreement, go to surprisedeaz.gov/electionnews.
