THE LEAGUE OF ARIZONA CITIES AND TOWNS PROUDLY PRESENTS ITS 2008 MUNICIPAL POLICY STATEMENT. CITIES AND TOWNS ACROSS ARIZONA DEVELOPED THIS STATEMENT IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING OUR CITIZENS; WE ALL SERVE THE SAME PEOPLE. CORE PRINCIPLES: • Protect State Shared Revenues Arizona voters created State Shared Revenues through the citizen-based initiative process. A portion of State-collected taxes goes back to local communities in exchange for prohibiting municipal taxes on income and luxury goods. This keeps taxpayers’ money working in their home communities and supports local choice and self-government. State Shared Revenue funds essential services that residents count on – public safety, streets, parks and libraries. Economically strong cities provide substantial tax revenue to the state government. The League and the Legislature must work together to protect State Shared Revenue and the basic local services it provides. • Maintain Local Control Community residents voluntarily create cities and towns to provide local selfgovernment, make their communities safe and productive places to live and work, and provide basic, vital services. Freedom to make decisions at the local level is the best way that municipalities can fully serve their unique constituencies. Being mindful that cities and the State work best as partners, the League urges the Legislature to oppose all preemptions and mandates that erode local decisionmaking authority. ECONOMIC ENGINES According to The Role of Arizona Cities and Towns in the State’s Economy, authored by the University of Arizona, municipal residents make up over 82% of the state’s population and municipal economic activity contributes over 91% of the state’s income tax revenues. These numbers clearly demonstrate the vital role cities and towns play in the state’s economy. It is imperative that state policy makers understand how crucial municipalities are to the state’s well being and advocate policies that augment municipal strength. The League supports the enhancement of economic tools that make Arizona an attractive place for residents and business. The League encourages the Legislature to: • Identify, fund and implement economic development programs to help cities and towns be more competitive with surrounding states FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY With record-setting population growth, cities and towns face greater responsibilities with even tighter revenues. They must provide quality services while keeping costs down. Municipalities deliver primary services such as public safety, and basic infrastructure including water, sewer, and streets. They make their communities attractive to residences and businesses by providing planning, zoning, and economic development. Services require resources. Municipal sales tax revenue is generally the largest contributor to municipal budgets, closely followed by Urban Revenue Sharing. For this reason, the League strongly opposes any cuts or changes to the Urban Revenue Sharing Fund and urges the Legislature to: • Protect Urban Revenue Sharing from tax cuts and other attacks • Provide basic level appropriation to the state’s six smallest communities • Allow cities and towns to request fee ranges in Requests for Qualifications (RFQ’s) QUALITY COMMUNITIES As the level of government closest to the people, cities and towns have the duty to work with their citizens to create high quality, safe places for people to live and work. From community improvements to smart growth planning, municipalities perform many roles in fulfilling their responsibilities. The League calls on the State to create, maintain and fund the necessary tools to complete this duty by: • Giving greater consideration to municipal input into state liquor license issuance • Allowing for development rights transfers between cities and counties to encourage smart development and reduce sprawl • Promoting full allocation of Heritage Fund monies to continue community development projects across the State PUBLIC SAFETY Public safety is the top priority for Arizona cities and towns, consuming an estimated 60% of the average municipal budget,. The most basic city services that are critical to a safe and thriving community are police and fire protection. The League encourages statewide efforts to improve public safety by: • Restoring the $15 million taken from the State Telecom Fund that supports the 911 emergency system • Protecting critical infrastructure information from public records requests TRANSPORTATION Arizona has infrastructure deficiencies resulting from the state’s rapid population growth. The need for capital will require collaborative efforts from all levels of government. The League supports a comprehensive effort to address the state’s transportation needs. The League endorses legislation that: • Supports new and increased sources of transportation funding to enhance safety, decrease congestion and support economic development. • Exempts cities and towns from the State Trust Land auction requirements for public rights of way FEDERAL RELATIONS Federal policies have great impact on Arizona cities and towns. Homeland security requirements and national forest policies are examples of how decisions made in Washington affect municipalities. The League will work with Arizona’s Congressional Delegation, the National League of Cities and other partners to promote the following resolutions: • Encourage forest health initiatives • Preserve and fund the Community Development Block Grant Program • Protect critical infrastructure information • Support new and increased sources of transportation funding to enhance safety, decrease congestion and support economic development • Create methods for municipalities to be reimbursed with Payment In Lieu of Tax (PILT) monies for expenses resulting from federal lands (also included in the County Relations agenda) COUNTY RELATIONS The League promotes working relationships between local government entities. While municipal and county policies may sometimes conflict, there are many opportunities to improve partnerships. This policy is supported by the following resolutions: • Improve cooperation between municipalities and counties • Work together to plan utility approvals near municipal planning areas • Create methods for municipalities to be reimbursed with Payment In Lieu of Tax (PILT) monies for expenses resulting from federal lands (also included in the Federal Relations Agenda) CITIES & TOWNS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Senator: Tom O’Halleran Representatives: Lucy Mason, Andy Tobin Cities/Towns: Camp Verde, Chino Valley, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Jerome, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona, Williams Senator: Albert Hale Representatives: Tom Chabin, Albert Tom Cities/Towns: Flagstaff Senator: Jack W. Harper Representatives: Tom Boone, Judy M. Burges Cities/Towns: Buckeye, Dewey-Humboldt, Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise, Wickenburg Senator: Franklin “Jake” Flake Representatives: Jack Brown, William Konopnicki Cities/Towns: Clifton, Duncan, Eagar, Globe, Holbrook, Miami, Payson, Pima, Pinetop-Lakeside, Safford, St. Johns, Show Low, Snowflake, Springerville, Star Valley, Taylor, Thatcher, Winslow Senator: Pamela Gorman Representatives: Doug Clark, Sam Crump Cities/Towns: Phoenix Cities/Towns: Senator: Carolyn S. Allen Representatives: Michele Reagan, John Kavanagh Cities/Towns: Fountain Hills, Scottsdale Senator: Robert “Bob” Burns Representatives: Rick Murphy, Bob Stump Cities/Towns: Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Youngtown Paradise Valley, Phoenix Robert Blendu 12 Senator: Representatives: John Nelson, Jerry P. Weiers 13 Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Phoenix, Surprise Senator: Richard Miranda Representatives: Steve Gallardo, Martha Garcia Cities/Towns: Avondale, Glendale, Phoenix, Tolleson Debbie McCune-Davis 14 Senator: Representatives: Chad Campbell, Robert Meza Cities/Towns: Glendale, Phoenix Ken Cheuvront 15 Senator: Representatives: David Lujan, Kyrsten Sinema Cities/Towns: Phoenix Leah Landrum Taylor 16 Senator: Representatives: Cloves Campbell, Jr., Ben R. Miranda Cities/Towns: Scottsdale, Tempe Karen Johnson 18 Senator: Representatives: Mark Anderson, Russell K. Pearce Cities/Towns: Mesa Chuck Gray 19 Senator: Representatives: Kirk Adams, Rich Crandall Cities/Towns: Apache Junction, Mesa John Huppenthal 20 Senator: Representatives: John McComish, Bob Robson Cities/Towns: Chandler, Phoenix, Tempe Linda Gray 10 Senator: Representatives: Jackie Thrasher, James Weiers Cities/Towns: Cities/Towns: Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek Thayer Verschoor 22 Senator: Representatives: Andy Biggs, Eddie Farnsworth Cities/Towns: Apache Junction, Gilbert, Mesa Rebecca Rios 23 Senator: Representatives: Barbara McGuire, Peter Rios Cities/Towns: Apache Junction, Avondale, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eloy, Florence, Hayden, Kearny, Mammoth, Maricopa, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Superior, Winkelman Amanda Aguirre 24 Senator: Representatives: Lynne Pancrazi, Theresa Ulmer Cities/Towns: Parker, San Luis, Somerton, Wellton, Yuma Marsha Arzberger 25 Senator: Representatives: Manuel V. “Manny” Alvarez, Jennifer J. Burns Cities/Towns: Benson, Bisbee, Buckeye, Douglas, Gila Bend, Huachuca City, Marana, Nogales, Sierra Vista, Tombstone, Willcox Charlene Pesquiera 26 Senator: Representatives: Pete Hershberger, Lena Saradnik Cities/Towns: Marana, Oro Valley, Tucson Jorge Luis Garcia 27 Senator: Representatives: Olivia Cajero Bedford, Phil Lopes Cities/Towns: Tucson Paula Aboud 28 Senator: Representatives: David T. Bradley, Steve Farley Cities/Towns: Tucson Victor Soltero 29 Senator: Representatives: Linda Lopez, Tom Prezelski Cities/Towns: South Tucson, Tucson Tim Bee 30 Senator: Representatives: Marian A. McClure, Jonathan Paton Glendale, Phoenix 1820 WEST WASHINGTON STREET Jay Tibshraeny 21 Senator: Representatives: Warde Nichols, Steven B. Yarbrough Guadalupe, Phoenix Meg Burton Cahill 17 Senator: Representatives: Edward Ableser, David Schapira Cities/Towns: Senator: Jim Waring Representatives: Ray Barnes, Nancy Barto Cities/Towns: Carefree, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Scottsdale DISTRICT Barbara Leff 11 Senator: Representatives: Mark Desimone, Adam Driggs Cities/Towns: Senator: Ron Gould Representatives: Trish Groe, Nancy G. McLain Cities/Towns: Bullhead City, Colorado City, Fredonia, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Page, Parker, Quartzsite BY Cities/Towns: PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007 PHONE: 602-258-5786 Patagonia, Sahuarita, Sierra Vista, Tucson FAX: 602-253-3874 WWW.AZLEAGUE.ORG