2017

MUNICIPAL POLICY
STATEMENT

OVERVIEW

GOOD GOVERNANCE

The cities and towns of Arizona serve their constituents
through efficient service delivery, transparent operations,
fiscal responsibility and long range planning. In order to
accomplish this mission, the League of Arizona Cities
and Towns enlists the input of its members to develop
the annual Municipal Policy Statement. This document
represents collaborative policy priorities that ensure
cities and towns throughout Arizona can maintain the
high quality municipal environment that citizens want
and deserve.

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

CORE PRINCIPLES
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. Therefore, one of
our first priorities will be the repeal of SB1487, state
law; local violations; penalties, a bill that strikes at the
heart of our core principles.

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
• Foster economic development by allowing cities
and towns to use additional financing tools to
invest in infrastructure and other improvements
in designated areas.
• Create renewable energy and conservation financing
districts for commercial properties on a voluntary basis.

Legislative Priorities
• Repeal SB1487, state law; local violations; penalties.
• Create workable, simplified mutually beneficial
construction sales tax reform.
• Update zoning laws to mirror that of county zoning
statutes.
• Modify statute to align Public Safety Personnel
Retirement System (PSPRS) benefits with the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Explore options to create solutions for the current
unfunded liabilities of PSPRS.
• Revise and update disincorporation statutes.
• Construct a more efficient process for annexation.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

Citizens want great places to live and thrive. Safe, vibrant
communities retain the people that live there, and attract
new citizens as well.

Legislative Priorities
• Restore the Arizona Housing Trust Fund.
• Develop strategies to improve forest health.
• Support Arizona’s military installations.

• Authorize the inclusion of retention and detention basins
for improvement district funding.

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

GENERAL FUND REVENUE
On average, cities and towns receive almost 40% of
their revenues from state shared sources-income tax,
sales tax, HURF and VLT.
43% Local Sales & Franchise Taxes

Public Safety

52%

7% Local Property Tax
9% Licenses, Permits,
User Fees
& Grants
2% Fines & Forfeitures

39% State Shared Revenue

Public Works

17%
Administration

11%

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

Community Services

8%
Community & Economic
Development Services 7%
5%
Parks and Recreation
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES
On average, cities and towns spend over 50%
of their budgets on public safety-police and
fire departments.

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

S
R

S
R

S
R

S
R

S
R

S
R

S
R

S
R

S
R

S
R

Karen Fann(R)
Noel Campbell(R), David Stringer(R)
Carefree, Cave Creek, Chino Valley,
Dewey-Humboldt, Peoria, Phoenix,
Prescott, Prescott Valley, Wickenburg

S

Andrea Dalessandro(D)
Rosanna Gabaldon(D), Daniel Hernandez(D)
Nogales, Patagonia, Sahuarita,
South Tucson, Tucson

S

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

S

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

S

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

S

Sylvia Allen(R)
Brenda Barton(R), Bob Thorpe(R)
Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Flagstaff,
Holbrook, Jerome, Payson, Sedona, Snowflake,
Star Valley, Taylor, Tusayan, Williams

S

Jamescita Peshlakai(D)
Wenona Benally(D), Eric Descheenie(D)
Eagar, Fredonia, Page, Pinetop-Lakeside,
Show Low, Springerville, St. Johns, Winslow

S

Frank Pratt(R)
David Cook(R), T.J. Shope(R)
Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eloy, Florence, Globe,
Hayden, Kearny, Mammoth, Miami,
Superior, Winkelman

S

Steve Farley(D)
Randy Friese(D), Pamela Powers Hannley(D)
Marana, Oro Valley, Tucson

S

David Bradley(D)
Todd Clodfelter(R), Kirsten Engel(D)
Tucson

S

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

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

S

Warren Petersen(R)
Eddie Farnsworth(R), Travis Grantham(R)
Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek

S

Steve Montenegro(R)
Darin Mitchell(R), Don Shooter(R)
Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear,
Litchfield Park, Surprise, Wellton,
Wickenburg, Yuma

S

Gail Griffin(R)
Drew John(R), Becky Nutt(R)
Benson, Bisbee, Clifton, Douglas, Duncan,
Huachuca City, Pima, Safford, Sierra Vista,
Thatcher, Tombstone, Tucson, Willcox

S

Nancy Barto(R)
John Allen(R), Heather Carter(R)
Cave Creek, Phoenix

S

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

S

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

S

Sean Bowie(D)
Denise “Mitzi” Epstein(D), Jill Norgaard(R)
Chandler, Guadalupe, Mesa,
Phoenix, Tempe

S

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

S

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

S

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

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

Debbie Lesko(R)
Kevin Payne(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)
Rusty Bowers(R), Michelle Udall(R)
Mesa

Juan Mendez(D)
Isela Blanc(D), Athena Salman(D)
Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe

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

Kate Brophy McGee(R)
Kelli Butler(D), Maria Syms(R)
Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale

Martin Quezada(D)
Richard Andrade(D), Cesar Chavez(D)
El Mirage, Glendale, Phoenix

Robert Meza(D)
Ray Martinez(D), Tony Navarrete(D)
Glendale, Phoenix

S
R

- Senator
- Representative