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local tax rates. It is not possible at this time for anyone to calculate exactly how mtch.any one city's rate will have to go up: there are too many uncertainties in just what those State tax policies will be. If our tax rate stays below the rates of those other cities, I will be satisfied to pay somewhat more than I do now, in order to keep the quiet, rural lifestyle that I cherish. We should remember that EVERY candidate in at least the last two elections promised to preserve that rural lifestyle. 3. As I have stated before, tax revenue is only one side of a two-sided equation or balance beam. The other side is expenses. if the expenses are kept low, then the tax rate can stay low even with a relatively small tax base. Lake Elmo has historically had relatively low expenses per capita, perhaps indicating a relatively low level of services. One might claim that the level of services is too low, but where are the masses of voters crying out for more services? Except for calls for more police to catch speeders, there have been no such cries. Lake Elmo residents are anoarently happy with the current level of services. Perhaps even some service cuts are possible. Therefore, there should be at least an equal, if not greater, effort toward reducing or controlling expenses as there is toward increasing revenues. Please refer to my draft proposal for a "Cost control Board". 4. The "slow growth" policies, which Lake Elmo and Afton, for example, have followed over the last decade, are at least as valid a way to keep City tax rates low as are the "fast growth" policies followed by Oakdale, Woodbury and Stillwater over the same period of time. One needs only to look at the figures to see that this statement is true. On the other hand, the "strong growth" policies followed by some cities, like Eagan, have resulted in that city's tax rate also being lower than those of Oakdale, Woodbury and Stillwater. Therefore, there is no one "right way" to develop a city and keep tax rates low. What makes a difference is the overall atmosphere or quality of life desired. Lake Elmo has pursued a more rural atmosphere, with relatively low development density, and has kept its tax rate down. Eagan has pursued a more urban atmosphere, with relatively high development density, and has kept its tax rate down. BOTH DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AREyALID± I challenge anyone to prove this statement is false. It appears that the REAL question before us is, "Will Lake Elmo continue its historical "slow growth" policies with a rural atmosphere, or will it fundamentally change its growth policy and atmosphere?" The development board as presented by Mayor Johnson has only one.stated objective: increase the amount of tax revenues to Lake Elmo by increased non-residential development. This has been the traditional cry of municipal officials over the years. However, it appears to be historically shortsighted, and it appears to ignore the realities of today and the uncertainties of the future. As a group of intelligent people we should learn from the past and be wary of the future before we commit our City to a course which might lead to increased tax revenues but also higher expenses and overall higher, not lower, tax rates. The Mayor's proposal is perhaps a starting point to get us thinking about how Lake Elmo should be allowed to develop in the face of future changes in State tax policy. However, before the proposal gets the support of this Council, the above concerns and questions, as well as others which might f come up, should be resolved in a rational, objective manner.