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`... I The city tax rate is a function of the size of the tax base and the amount of government spending. Over the long 2 term,the City controls the amount of spending, but can only influence the size of the tax base. While sometimes 3 the City needs to make strategic investments to grow the tax base,those investments need to have a clear return 4 if the public spending is designed to reduce the overall tax rate. 5 Since the City has an implied obligation to maintain existing infrastructure systems,the way for the City of Pequot 6 Lakes to control the tax burden over the long-term is to make better use of those infrastructure investments. 7 Streamline the Regulatory Process 8 I If Pequot Lakes is going to be-remain competitive, it needs to be easy to do business in town. In the past,some of 9 the processes and regulations inherited or developed locally created unnecessary obstacles for businesses and did 10 not provide enough value to justify their application.That has started to change with recent initiatives,and further 11 unwinding is necessary. 12 It is important, however,to maintain a common set of standards in order to protect existing investments.The City 13 should not adopt the standards of neighboring communities in a "race to the bottom" approach to deregulation. 14 Pequot is a unique community with an approach to economic growth and development that differs significantly 15 I from the area communities of Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Breezy Point and Jenkins'. The City needs to have high 16 standards that fit with the community and then focus on how those standards are applied and what can be done 17 to streamline the approval process. 18 Grow the Market 19 I Businesses in Pequot Lakes sell goods and services to people around the world. However, m st-e -^{*",there are a L 20 significant number of transactions that take place a-- -'e„t locally,Oar— a in people that live locally. Growing the 21 market of potential consumers involves different strategies for local,regional and distant markets. 22 I For local markets, Pequot Lakes has its greatest competitive advantage in being a convenient location. As 23 convenience for local consumers is increased, more people will opt to shop locally. Increasing convenience means 24 paying attention to the form and function of the public spaces within Pequot's commercial areas. It also means 25 I housing approaches that locate new residents within walking distance of businesses. 26 Attracting consumers from the region comes with paying attention to those unique experiences and offerings that 27 Pequot Lakes has, or can grow. With many options in the regional marketplace, Pequot Lakes needs to be a 28 "destination" in order to stand out.This means having an agglomeration of businesses that,while competitive, rely 29 on each other and their collective draw for attracting consumers. The destination effect is enhanced by paying 30 attention to how businesses are spatially located, how their design interacts with their neighbors and how they 31 improve the public realm. 1 The "DNA" of Pequot Lakes — the framework upon which the city is built — is different than any of the other communities in the immediate area. Baxter and Breezy Point are exclusively auto-oriented communities, lacking the downtown created around the historic railroad stop as in Pequot Lakes. While Nisswa and Brainerd have this traditional pattern,it differs significantly from Pequot Lakes. Brainerd's development is on a different scale and has a different character due to transportation choices made within its traditional neighborhoods. Nisswa has maintained the historic character of its downtown, but it is not set up to connect that area to the surrounding neighborhoods.As such,development in Pequot Lakes is more diverse and less seasonal than that in Nisswa. 131 Page