In recent weeks, we’ve questioned fiscal decisions by local governmental bodies on matters ranging from “cost-of-living” adjustments that are really just pay raises to the dubious decision to grow local government in realms that aren’t justifiable when the economy is listless and taxpayers are strapped and in no mood for nonsense.

So allow us to lend some praise to Waco City Hall, whose employees are enduring the economy as many of us are in the private sector — the hard way, without pay raises.

Fiscal hawks should applaud the latest deliberations of city leaders who are considering passing on $2.3 million in federal money to hire a dozen new police officers. Reason: The federal money is designed to pay for officers’ salaries and benefits for three years. After that, the city and its taxpayers might have to find other money to keep those officers on the payroll, cut other city staffing or programs to keep them or possibly even lay the officers off.

Waco, along with other cities and counties, applied for the money two years ago, according to the federal Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, which is now making $298 million in funding available to law enforcement agencies nationwide. Unfortunately, this grant money is like so much from the federal government. It pays to get programs launched and people hired, then runs out, leaving local government the option of continuing the payments.

A few years ago, when city officials sought the money, the economic picture didn’t seem quite so gloomy. Now economists are hedging their bets on what kind of world we’ll face when the hard times end. The city’s tax-supported general fund has shrunk for the first time in more than a decade, which is why city staff are doing without pay hikes.

We agree with police that $2.3 million in federal funding would sure come in handy. Plans originally called for using the money to expand the street crimes unit and traffic unit. The economy may be vibrant in three years, but economic indicators are all askew, and we appreciate city leaders’ caution in these long-term budgetary matters.