If you’ve got an extra pair of scissors, now may be a good time to donate them to your Adams County and City of Natchez leaders.

It may not be the most wonderful time of the year for the men and women charged with guarding our taxpayer money, but it’s certainly the most important time.

It’s budget season.

The county kicked things off Thursday morning with the first of many budget meetings. The city will soon follow suit.

On behalf of the taxpayers — and as taxpayers ourselves — we urge both boards to be diligent and detailed in their budget work.

Please examine every line item and question every departmental cost.

It takes money to run a government, we know, but we’ve trusted our leaders to make sure it takes the least amount of money possible.

Budgets aren’t just tight at the federal, state and local level; they are tight in the homes of Adams County residents. To think that the money of a mom and pop that may be struggling to put food on the table could be wasted on unnecessary governmental purchases is heart-wrenching.

Our elected leaders have a big, tough job. Yet, the people have trusted them to do it, so they must follow through.

To the decision-makers, please question everything and hang on to each dime like it was your last.

Do those things, and Adams County residents will be proud.