In reply to Adam Miller.

"How do things like additional services, amenities and accommodating suburban visitors and workers (all things Alex mentioned) flow out of greater density?"

The more people you have to provide services and amenities to the more it costs, it's a question of scale. As for visitors and workers they bring money into the city, they aren't just an expense, and as I've already pointed out, MPLS ges a lost of state, county, and federal aid to help with those expenses.

"Because “honesty” is ignoring difference in income, services, amenities and accommodation of visitors? Or using one of the densest and most urban suburbs as a proxy for all suburbs?"

I'm not ignoring any of these, they are ALL reflected in the city budget. I just chose SLP because I live here, but any comparative analysis with any of the suburbs will yield the same fiscal pattern.

"This is only “true” because it lacks the ability to tax income and economic activity within its borders."

I don't any city in US has that ability so this no more of a liability for MPLS than any other city or suburb.