City of Surprise picks longtime councilman as new mayor

PHOENIX – The West Valley suburb of Surprise turned to a familiar face to serve as mayor for the next two years.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the City Council selected Skip Hall, a longtime councilman, to serve out former Mayor Sharon Walcott’s term.

Walcott announced her resignation earlier this month, and Friday was her last day in office. She had been elected to a second term in 2016.

Hall, who has been on the City Council since 2008, will be mayor until 2020, when voters will select the next mayor to a four-year term.

Skip Hall will serve as the next Mayor of @AZSurprise, following City Council’s action tonight. The application process for the newly-vacated District 5 Council seat opens Monday, November 26. https://t.co/7OEoFxB4Ea pic.twitter.com/rhxjaoNHa0

— City of Surprise (@AZSurprise) November 21, 2018

His promotion leaves an opening for the District 5 council seat. The city clerk will take applications for the vacancy starting Monday until Dec. 10, and a replacement will be appointed to serve until the 2020 election.

According to a press release from the city, Hall served as vice mayor in 2011 and 2014 and was on the Surprise Planning and Zoning Commission for three years before his election to the City Council.

He is a Vietnam veteran who grew up in Idaho and earned a business degree from Seattle University, the release said.

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