Mesa Mayor Scott Smith has been sworn in as 71st president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The outgoing USCM president is Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter.

Nutter appointed Smith as head of the nonpartisan organization during its 81st annual meeting Monday in Las Vegas.

More than 200 mayors met to discuss a broad range of policy issues impacting the nation’s cities including the economic health, immigration, school safety, energy efficiency, housing and help for returning military veterans.

As conference president, Smith will set the organization’s agenda, appoint committee and task force chairs and serve as the national spokesperson for the term that runs through next June.

Smith was the organization’s vice president over the past year.