05.01 - Req for Tax Abatement-Oppidan, Public Hearing

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PEQUOT LAKES CHIROPRACTIC & SPORTS INJURY CENTER 31095 BERGQUIST DRIVE PO BOX 8 PEQUOT LAKES, MN 56472 RYAN D BUELL, DC October 1, 2009 To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members for the City of Pequot Lakes From: Ryan Buell 30928 Maish Street Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 RE: Tax Abatement for a new grocery development Dear Mayor and Council: There has been much ado over the current development prospect by Oppidan, from TIF to now a request for Tax Abatement. Frankly, I feel that for a company as such to ask for this abatement is against the better judgment for the council and the city. From all information that has been made available to the public, it would appear that the project proposed is one that will likely proceed with or with -out tax assistance such as TIF or abatement. The abatement concept is perceived as a gift to a company, business or individual in which taxes are not paid by that company, business or individual. It would also appear through the research that I have done that this ability to provide such an abatement is with -in your discretion as a council. Finally it would appear that offering such an abatement to one business would open the door for the same to be required to be given to all businesses. As I stated earlier, it appears that this project does not hinge on such an abatement or TIF to be completed. What I believe that this request does is to ask the current businesses, some of which are significantly struggling at this time, as well as the tax paying residents of Pequot Lakes to help pay for this new project. A project that will in all likelihood result in the closure of some area businesses. The compounding of this is the unfair advantage that the project would have over other businesses (grocery, gas, pharmacy, and hair) due to the lack of obligation for taxes, or the refund of those taxes. As a tax paying individual and business owner in Pequot Lakes for the last 10 years and as someone who came to town and hung a shingle, took the risk and developed a business, I have no problem with a new business coming into town, and I welcome any investment in the community. I DO NOT support use of tax payer dollars to finance a new business that will directly compete with established businesses that have done the same as I have in regard to establishing and building our businesses with out such aid. Please consider this information in your decisions to offer tax abatement and please vote against tax payer funding of this project. Sincerely, Ryan D. Buell DC PHONE: 218 - 568 -7767 docbuell(a,uslink.net FAX: 218 - 568 -4580