The details of exactly what’s happening between the revenues and expenditures columns of the Vidalia city budget are not something we entirely understand yet.

In fact, concerns about the public’s money haven’t been publicly discussed at all, to our knowledge.

It’s no surprise that last spring’s flood and this year’s drought made a dent, but the city’s cost-saving efforts that have reportedly been occurring in recent months weren’t discussed until employees lost their jobs this week.

The layoffs may have been a necessary move, we don’t know, and it doesn’t seem most Vidalia taxpayers do either.

Without clear details, it’s difficult to cast aspersions, but the Vidalia budget crunch should serve as a reminder of one simple thing for all local governments.

Don’t spend every dime you have.

Just because money is coming in doesn’t mean it has to be spent. It’s fine to build a rainy day fund — or floody day — as long as those dollars remain accounted for and accessible for projects that benefit the citizens.

It seems to go against the political way, but saving money is simply sound financial planning that any well-prepared citizen who is able already does daily.

Disasters will strike. Those who are prepared will survive.