Numbers presented by city leaders in Vidalia make a dirty situation crystal clear.

If the city’s sanitation department truly lost $275,000 last year — and presumably as much or more in years prior — it’s past time to review bids to contract out the service and, if needed, raise rates.

Many towns and cities use private waste disposal companies because the non-government workers generally can do the same job more cheaply. Vidalia should join the crowd.

Vidalia is facing severe financial woes as it is, due largely to an unpredictable Mississippi River that has seen its highest of highs and nearly lowest of lows in the last two years.

But river levels aside, the city has been asking for budgetary problems for years by serving, for too long, as a major employer in town.

Government should not exist to employ the people, but to serve the people.

When that equation works properly, the economy can thrive and the private sector can support the community.

It’s unfortunate that up to seven Vidalia employees could lose their jobs if the sanitation work is outsourced, but the impacts on seven should not overshadow the impacts on area 5,000 residents.

Take the bids, review the costs and make the decision by the numbers.

The city leaders cannot continue to make decisions based on whose buddy, brother or friend may lose his job.