In reply to Paul Udstrand.

The difference is that Ham Lake does much less for each resident. SLP does less for each resident in comparison to Minneapolis. As density increases it makes more sense for things to be done collectively. SLP is too spread out and too small to do the things Minneapolis does. If SLP tried to do all the things Minneapolis does it would not be as efficient. If Ham Lake did all the things Minneapolis does it would be very inefficient.

You may not be able to notice the differences in the level of services between the cities, but they are numerous and being unwilling to acknowledge them does not make you correct.