Packham: Surprise should enhance ‘Resident Experience’

Imagine a Surprise where each resident with creative community improvement ideas has a simple way to get their ideas heard.

The city of Surprise can improve the “Resident Experience” through a simple change within our city government and using resources already available.

The Resident Experience is the way each person interacts with the city, its elected officials, and staff. As mayor, I will foster an improved Resident Experience by enhancing how the city of Surprise communicates and interacts with residents. I will ensure that we better utilize our communication medians to reach our residents in a more engaging way.

I will also provide a plan to develop current employees into Resident Experience Representatives, who will guide residents to the resources within the city. They will do this by:

1. Understanding what each department, committee and subcommittee does and how to reach them.

2. Be well-versed in the city website, My Surprise App, and SurpriseTV to guide people to the information they need.

3. Be a single point of contact for residents as they navigate the vast city resources.

Imagine a Surprise where each resident can engage in their passions and improve the community. A city where people can engage in the arts, share cultural experiences, and share their passions with others makes a vibrant community.

There are so many passionate and talented people in our community. We must ensure that each person can pursue those passions and bring our community to life. Whether they want to start businesses, develop a non-profit, put together an event, or teach others, we must do a better job connecting these people with the broader community and our resources.

As mayor, I will advocate for improved utilization of resources we already have available in existing, established programs. The city is working on so many incredible services. 

Unfortunately, it often goes unnoticed by the residents, because of the difficult process to find relevant information. Streamlining our Resident Experience and removing barriers to engagement will allow people to connect with programs, businesses, organizations, and others who are passionate about similar causes. Together, we will be able to bring our big visions to life.

Imagine a Surprise where each resident can get the help and support that they need to reach their fullest potential.

A city where each person is empowered to live to their fullest potential aids in building a vibrant and safe community. As mayor, I will encourage improvement to the Resident Experience by developing more communication with departments of the city, local businesses, and residents.

This will enhance our programs abilities to reach desired goals. For example, the No. 1 issue identified by the Human Services Needs Analysis is local transportation. However, in another program, the city is subsidizing a transit company. I believe communicating within the departments and partnering with local businesses and agencies would result in both vast improvement in the quality of services and the frequency of their utilization.

Imagine a Surprise where each resident can experience a unique guided journey in this amazing community.

As mayor, I will encourage more effective communication between city departments, use resources more efficiently and remove barriers to our residents to access city resources. 

Together, we can take Surprise to a better future. Will you join with me in creating the city of Surprise you have always imagined?

Editor’s Note: Ms. Packham has qualified as a write-in candidate for mayor of Surprise. Incumbent Skip Hall is the only person on the ballot.