Surprise411.com

SURPRISE, AZ( September 22, 2008 ) Surprise City Manager Randy Oliver has unveiled an organizational restructuring that reflects city council goals and improves service delivery to city residents.

The changes include creation of a Transportation Department, and the reassignment of the Economic Development Department to report directly to the City Manager. These changes align with city council goals of focusing on transportation and developing high quality jobs in the city.

"The top priorities of the council and residents relate to transportation issues," Oliver said in a memo to Mayor Lyn Truitt and the city council. "The Transportation Department will focus on all aspects of transportation such as local and regional planning and advocating for Surprise issues with our regional partners."

The city has cited accelerating construction of SR303 through Surprise as a key transportation and economic development priority.

Closely aligning the Economic Development Department with the City Manager's office reflects the council's desire to increase the visibility and effectiveness of city efforts to create quality jobs through business attraction and development, Oliver said.

Oliver briefed management staff on the realignments last week. He said the changes will be instituted over a period of several months, and no jobs will be lost or eliminated as a result of the realignments.

Other changes involve improving service delivery by grouping some functions and realigning reporting relationships. The Water Services Department will become part of Public Works, and a variety of Community Initiative Department functions will be distributed among the Community Development, Community and Recreation Services and the Transportation Departments.

Public Works, Community and Recreation Services and Community Development will see an expansion of the service they provide, according to the plan.