Last night, Surry County Manager Dennis Thompson made his budget recommendation to the board of commissioners.

His spending proposal addresses the needs of the county, as a governmental entity, while remaining mindful that it is taxpayer money.

While federal and state legislators seem to believe the lonely taxpayer is a never-ending source of money, local leaders show a keen understanding of the fact that this money comes from real people, individuals and families who are sometimes struggling to pay for their basic necessities.

Not only has the county managed to keep spending from rising, but Thompson’s budget proposal — which still must be decided upon by the commissioners — actually calls for a decrease in funding from present year spending.

Just to be clear, this is a real decrease, not the smoke-and-mirrors sort of decrease often spoken of in Raleigh and Washington. When legislators in those localities speak of year-to-year decreases, what they really mean is the rate of spending increases will decline, when in truth actual spending still climbs upward.

Thompson, however, has presented a sound budget which maintains the needs of the county, holds the property tax and school district tax rates at present levels — a move school officials support, according to the county manager. It also holds fire district tax rates steady. Several area fire departments have asked for increases, and we support minor increases if safety — not convenience — is at stake for firefighters or the people they serve.

Otherwise, we find Thompson’s budget proposal one which serves the county well. There are sure to be minor adjustments before final passage, but we hope the commissioners keeps his plan of holding spending at or below present-year levels.