Harmony's 2006 budget isn't finalized yet, but the news coming from the borough is worthy of positive notice.

The preliminary budget for next year approved by the borough council Tuesday is significantly lower than the spending plans of recent years.

The proposed budget not only reflects the uncertainties of the times in general, but acknowledges the challenges residents have faced due to rising county and school taxes.

It also is noteworthy and commendable that the borough already has nearly finished paying off a loan connected with 2004 flood damage.

Both the loan payoff and proposed budget are important signs of fiscal responsibility, and hopefully nothing will change the upbeat picture for next year. Final budget adoption must come by Dec. 31.

The proposed budget totals $428,106. The budget totals for 2005 and 2004 were $456,250 and $436,050, respectively.

Harmony isn't a large municipality, but borough leaders have no less of a basic responsibility than officials in bigger communities. To their credit, Harmony officials not only recognize that but are actively putting that knowledge to work on behalf of the borough's citizenry.