2016 MUNICIPAL POLICY STATEMENT

GOOD GOVERNANCE

OVERVIEW

The 91 incorporated cities and towns of Arizona are responsive
to their constituents and efficiently deliver the essential services
their citizens demand through transparent operations, fiscal
responsibility and long range planning. Cities and towns are
where the majority of the state’s population lives and works and
where the economic vitality of the state thrives. This Municipal
Policy Statement represents the 2016 policy priorities adopted
to ensure cities and towns throughout Arizona continue to have
the necessary tools to maintain high quality service delivery to
residents and businesses.

Citizens expect local government to be fiscally stable, fair
and reasonable in its enforcement, and efficient in its
procedures. These concepts further enable municipalities to
achieve those goals.

CORE PRINCIPLES

• Make the requirements for annexation a more effective
process, especially when property owners and municipalities
are in agreement.

The League of Arizona Cities and Towns is governed by two
core principles: 1) Preserve local control, and 2) Protect shared
revenue. Adherence to these principles is the foundation of
all the League’s efforts. We will support legislation that reinforces
these principles, and oppose any that undermines them.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Cities and towns are at the forefront of economic vitality and
growth. Incorporating these policies would advance financial
success.

Legislative Priorities
• Support thorough reform of the PSPRS System that achieves the
goals outlined by the League’s PSPRS Task Force.
• Allow cities and towns to place reasonable balances on public
record requests that are overbroad, abusive, or incessant.

• Expand state licensure requirements and local enforcement
authority for drug rehabilitation and recovery housing.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Citizens want great places to live and thrive. Vibrant communities
retain the people that live there, and attract new citizens as well.
Legislative Priorities

Legislative Priorities

• Partner with cities and towns for the operation and maintenance
of Arizona State Parks under long term leases.

• Preserve the Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) allocated
to Arizona cities and towns, and follow the statutory formula
for its distribution.

• Restore the Arizona Housing Trust Fund and the Arizona
State Park Heritage Funds.

• Foster economic development by allowing cities and towns to
create financing mechanisms to invest in infrastructure and
other improvements in designated areas.
• Create renewable energy and conservation financing districts
for commercial properties on a voluntary basis.
• Authorize the creation of retention and detention basin
improvement districts.
• Support funding to accelerate the design and construction of
State Route 189 in ADOT’s Five-Year Transportation Facilities
Construction Program.

FEDERAL ACTION

When all levels of government work together all levels of society
can prosper. We call on the federal government to help our cities
and towns continue to succeed.
Legislative Priorities
• Urge Congress to compel the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) to improve its communication with municipalities when
studying changes to flight paths.
• Support the enactment of equal taxation of online retail
purchases.
• Retain the tax exempt status for municipal bonds.
• Support Arizona’s military installations.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL 602-258-5786
VISIT: WWW.AZLEAGUE.ORG • TWITTER: @AZCITIES

PSPRS MEMBERSHIP BY EMPLOYER
State

10%
Fire Districts

7%
County

11%

of Arizonans live in one of
the state’s 91 incorporated
cities and towns.

69%

3%
Tribal

HURF Transfers from Cities and Towns
to DPS (2000 - Present)

Cities and Towns

$35.0
$30.0

Cities: Average population up,
spending down
Arizona’s cities and towns are responsible stewards of
taxpayer resources. Although average populations have
grown by 6 percent, average spending per capita is now
nearly 20 percent lower than it was before the recession.

$ (millions)

$25.0
$20.0
$15.0
$10.0
$5.0
$0.0
‘00

‘01

‘02

‘03

‘04

‘05

‘06

‘07

‘08

‘09

‘10

‘11

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

Fiscal Year
1,200.00

5,000,000

1,100.00
4,800,000

Per Capita $

1,000.00

4,600,000

900.00
800.00

4,400,000

700.00
4,200,000

PopulaƟon

600.00

4,000,000

500.00
‘05

‘06

‘07

‘08

‘09

‘10

‘11

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

Fiscal Year
Source: Budgets of 25 largest cities by population

FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL 602-258-5786
VISIT: WWW.AZLEAGUE.ORG • TWITTER: @AZCITIES

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Steve Pierce(R)
Noel Campbell(R), Karen Fann(R)
Carefree, Cave Creek, Chino Valley,
Dewey-Humboldt, Peoria, Phoenix,
Prescott, Prescott Valley, Wickenburg
Andrea Dalessandro(D)
John C. Ackerley(R), Rosanna Gabaldon(D)
Nogales, Patagonia, Sahuarita,
South Tucson, Tucson

Olivia Cajero Bedford(D)
Sally Ann Gonzales(D), Macario Saldate(D)
Tucson

Lynne Pancrazi(D)
Charlene Fernandez(D), Lisa Otondo(D)
Buckeye, Gila Bend, Goodyear, San Luis,
Somerton, Tucson, Yuma

Kelli Ward(R)
Sonny Borrelli(R), Regina Cobb(R)
Bullhead City, Colorado City, Kingman,
Lake Havasu City, Parker, Quartzsite

Sylvia Allen(R)
Brenda Barton(R), Robert Thorpe(R)
Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Flagstaff,
Holbrook, Jerome, Payson, Sedona, Snowflake,
Star Valley, Taylor, Tusayan, Williams
Carlyle Begay(R)
Jennifer Benally(D), Albert Hale(D)
Eagar, Fredonia, Page, Pinetop-Lakeside,
Show Low, Springerville, St. Johns, Winslow

Barbara McGuire(D)
Frank Pratt(R), T.J. Shope(R)
Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eloy, Florence, Globe,
Hayden, Kearny, Mammoth, Miami,
Superior, Winkelman
Steve Farley(D)
Randall Friese(D), Victoria Steele(D)
Marana, Oro Valley, Tucson

David Bradley(D)
Stefanie Mach(D), Bruce Wheeler(D)
Tucson

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Steve Smith(R)
Mark Finchem(R), Vince Leach(R)
Casa Grande, Eloy, Marana, Maricopa,
Oro Valley, Tucson

Andy Biggs(R)
Eddie Farnsworth(R), Warren Petersen(R)
Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek

Don Shooter(R)
Darin Mitchell(R), Steve Montenegro(R)
Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear,
Litchfield Park, Surprise, Wellton,
Wickenburg, Yuma
Gail Griffin(R)
David Gowan(R), David Stevens(R)
Benson, Bisbee, Clifton, Douglas, Duncan,
Huachuca City, Pima, Safford, Sierra Vista,
Thatcher, Tombstone, Tucson, Willcox
Nancy Barto(R)
John Allen(R), Heather Carter(R)
Cave Creek, Phoenix

David Farnsworth(R)
Doug Coleman(R), Kelly Townsend(R)
Apache Junction, Mesa, Queen Creek

Steve Yarbrough(R)
J.D. Mesnard(R), Jeff Weninger(R)
Chandler, Gilbert

Jeff Dial(R)
Jill Norgaard(R), Bob Robson(R)
Chandler, Guadalupe, Mesa,
Phoenix, Tempe

Lupe Chavira Contreras(D)
Mark Cardenas(D), Diego Espinoza(D)
Avondale, Phoenix, Tolleson

Kimberly Yee(R)
Paul Boyer(R), Anthony Kern(R)
Glendale, Phoenix

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Debbie Lesko(R)
Rick Gray(R), Tony Rivero(R)
El Mirage, Peoria, Surprise, Youngtown

Judy Burges(R)
David Livingston(R), Phil Lovas(R)
Glendale, Peoria, Surprise

John Kavanagh(R)
Jay Lawrence(R), Michelle Ugenti-Rita(R)
Fountain Hills, Scottsdale

Katie Hobbs(D)
Lela Alston(D), Ken Clark(D)
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe

Bob Worsley(R)
Russell Bowers(R), Justin Olson(R)
Mesa

Andrew Sherwood(D)
Juan Mendez(D), Vacant*
Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe

Catherine Miranda(D)
Reginald Bolding(D), Rebecca Rios(D)
Guadalupe, Phoenix, Tempe

Adam Driggs(R)
Kate Brophy McGee(R), Eric Meyer(D)
Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale

Martin Quezada(D)
Richard Andrade(D), Ceci Velasquez(D)
El Mirage, Glendale, Phoenix

Robert Meza(D)
Jonathan Larkin(D), Debbie McCune Davis(D)
Glendale, Phoenix

FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL 602-258-5786
VISIT: WWW.AZLEAGUE.ORG • TWITTER: @AZCITIES

FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL 602-258-5786
VISIT: WWW.AZLEAGUE.ORG • TWITTER: @AZCITIES

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- Senator
- Representative

* As of printing 11/16/2015