Judging from early budget discussions, it seems likely that Lawrence city commissioners will approve a property tax increase for next year.

If that’s the case, at least to an extent, Lawrence residents will be getting what they asked for.

Although commissioners aren’t estimating how large the increase will be, it will start with 1.7 mills approved by voters to expand the Lawrence Public Library. The library expansion question received a solid majority in voting last November, and now it’s time to pay the bill.

Psychologically, it seems that, once elected officials have accepted the need to raise the mill levy, it gets a little easier to tack on some extra expenditures here and there. If you’re going to risk taxpayers’ wrath by raising the levy 1.7 mills for the library, why not look at 2 mills or even a little more to address some other city needs.

There’s always a long list of spending wishes. The city is expecting an increase of $700,000 to maintain its current health insurance plan for employees. It would be nice to be able to give city employees at least modest raises. The city faces a federal mandate to update radios for police, fire, public works and the utilities department. And new Police Chief Tarik Khatib is asking for funds to hire additional police officers for the city’s force. City commissioners are unlikely to raise the mill levy enough to fill all of those needs, so they will have to pick and choose.

City Manager David Corliss also presented a few possibilities to cut costs. The city could reduce spending on its street paving program, but the city already is playing catchup and shouldn’t put those projects on the back burner. Cutting funding to social service agencies in half would save the city about $280,000, but with all the state and federal cuts in public assistance for both individuals and agencies, it’s the wrong time for the city to take that course.

Also on Corliss’ list was freezing vehicle purchases, delaying filling vacant police positions and closing or cutting back on hours for various city recreation facilities. Putting off vehicle purchases will catch up with the city down the road, and leaving vacant police positions will only worsen the staffing issues Khatib is raising. Compared to the amount the city has invested in its recreation facilities, the savings from reducing their hours doesn’t justify that move.

Mayor Aron Cromwell already has said that he doesn’t think anyone believes there is anything on the list of proposed cuts “that makes any sense,” so the only remaining question will be how much the mill levy for next year will rise.

The 1.7 mills for the library is set. Taxpayers more or less asked for that increase, but, as the sluggish economy continues, they certainly would appreciate city commissioners keeping additional increases to a minimum.