The League represents the collective interests of cities and towns at the State Legislature, provides timely information on important municipal issues, creates skill-sharpening workshops and develops networking opportunities.

The issue prompting the formation of the League was the Arizona Legislature's reluctance to allow elected city and town officials reasonable discretion in making decisions about their communities.

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional for cities and towns to support the League through payment of dues.

However, a number of mayors throughout Arizona believed that the League was such an important part of local government that they funded the organization out of their own pockets for six years until the Supreme Court reversed its decision.

An early president of the Arizona Municipal League as it was called was Mesa mayor George Nicholas Goodman.