We talked about the number-crunching report we were about to hear as the town staff presented its budget proposal for the board to consider.

Collins allowed as how he didn’t think it would take too long to hear the report. Technically, he was correct.

Finance Director Emily Lucas’ report was concise and it hit all the high spots commissioners needed to know before they began debating some of the finer points.

And, led by Mayor Bob Matheny, that’s just what they did until about 9 that night.

The upshot of the entire debate is that some on the board want the town’s tax rate cut.

Commissioner Beverly Clark and Curtis Strickland weren’t sure they liked that idea. It’s hard to understand why, though.

Unlike virtually every other government on the face of the earth, Zebulon isn’t facing an economic crunch. The town’s finances are good for a couple reasons.

First, the town has a strong industrial base. Despite the fact that some of those industries have been laying off workers, the property is still there. And it’s still worth a lot of money.

Second, the town has more than twice what most towns its size keep on hand in savings.

Strickland and Clark said they didn’t want to lower the tax rate this year only to have to raise it next year.

That’s true to be sure. None of the commissioners will likely ever want to raise taxes.

But with money in the bank and a stable tax base, townspeople should expect the government to ease the burden on taxpayers. With proposed water rate increases looming, a reduction in the tax rate will likely not have as big an impact on residents as it could.

But it’s still a step in the right direction.

Lucas’ presentation included some assumptions and some question marks, including one big pot of money that could disappear. Commissioners should test those assumptions and move judiciously as they watch revenues.

But they should always be looking for ways to help their constituents.

Hoarding money in savings — the town expects to sock away about $700,000 this year — is not good public finance management. No one wants that money drained to nothing. But there’s a time to draw on your savings. This is it.