Stretching the dollar a little bit further is on the mind of every consumer in America these days.

So it makes good sense that same concern should be on the mind of the Pike County Commissioners, who are still working to repay what was once a $10 million debt while facing an $80,000 shortfall in the road department this year.

With the prospect of having to borrow $916,000 this year to match a federal grant for resurfacing the Henderson Highway and County Road 7708, commissioners are wondering if they should seek additional loans for operating funds for the road department this year. In short, should they seek credit to keep the road department afloat for the year?

It doesn’t seem like the wisest business decision.

The commission has been working diligently for several years to reduce the debt. And, now is not the time to incur additional debt, if it can be avoided.

Instead, we wonder if commissioners can find any additional savings in their general fund budgets, whether in travel expenses; savings from planned cuts; or additional expense cuts. Anything else seems like a step backwards for the commission.