City Manager

City Manager - Randy Oliver

Before coming to Surprise in July 2008, Charles R. Oliver previously served as the City Manager of Peoria, Illinois, where he oversaw a 30% increase in the city’s general fund, an improvement in Peoria’s financial rating and the expansion of the University of Illinois Medical School at Peoria.

From 1999 to 2003 he served as City Manager of Greenville, South Carolina, where he negotiated the largest annexation in Greenville’s history.

From 1996 to 1999 he was Chief Executive Officer responsible for
consolidating the City of Augusta, Georgia and Richmond County into
the Augusta-Richmond County Consolidated Government.

Oliver holds a Masters Degree from the Massachusetts Institute of           » View previous reports
Technology and a Masters of Business Administration. He is a
registered Professional Engineer and a Certified Public Accountant.         

Council-Manager Form of Government:

Surprise operates under a council-manager form of government. Under this system the city council determines city policy, passes ordinances, and approves a balanced budget each year.

The City Manager is responsible for carrying out the council-created policies, and directing the day-to-day operations of city government. The manager reports directly to the city council, and is subject to council performance reviews. The City Manager is responsible for drafting a balanced budget for council review and approval each year.

Surprise is made up of 17 departments and more than 766 full time employees.