The city of Surprise is looking for volunteers to serve on its new Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission.

The 7 member commission will be asked to conduct a community needs assessment and make recommendations to the city council.

Human Service and Community Vitality Director Seth Dyson said they’ll focus on leveraging partnerships to serve more veterans, people with special needs and others.

“The city of Surprise has grown rapidly and we continue to experience great and healthy growth,” he said. “Some of our residents aren’t seeing some of the opportunities as other residents are seeing. For example, some have needs with their utilities or rent or employment services.”

Dyson said the city’s location in the far northwest Valley makes it challenging.

“Some of the services for veterans or folks with special needs or families seeking help aren’t as local as we’d like them,” he said. “This commission will help us leverage greater partnerships with nonprofits, the faith community and government entities and to connect our residents more with the services they need right away.”

Through an application process, a city council subcommittee will review and interview candidates. Commissioners are expected to begin serving in February.