Coffee wasn't the only hot item of interest for citizens who gathered recently for a meeting with Finney County commissioners.

In the first-ever County Commission coffee Saturday in Garden City, a number of local residents said they were steamed over the topic that frustrates just about everyone -- taxes.

Indeed, those who attended the coffee and challenged county leaders spoke for others throughout Finney County when they said they were troubled by property valuations and the painful toll of property taxes.

As they head into another budget season, county commissioners understand the importance of bringing relief to property tax owners by at least keeping the mill levy, currently at about 35 mills, in check. At the same time, though, they face the difficult balancing act of doing so while ensuring the county has enough funding for needed services.

It won't be easy for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the soaring price of fuel. The way things are going, simply fueling vehicles for such county services as law enforcement and road maintenance promises to put a dent in the county budget.

As they sharpen their pencils, however, county commissioners cannot be reckless in targeting good programs that benefit children and others in need.

No one expects the county to add a variety of new programs and services. Still, it must at least maintain what's already available, and not slip backward.

With that in mind, county commissioners have a case in asking voters to support use of a quarter-cent sales tax in the county that had been collected for U.S. Highway 50 west improvements.

No one likes new taxes. And a sales tax tends to pinch poor residents the most.

But the beauty of a sales tax is that a good portion of the proceeds come from people who head here from other counties to shop. That would ease the tax burden on Finney County property owners, and help maintain programs benefiting people in need.

The bottom line is that the county's consideration of sales tax dollars is sensible, if for no other reason than to keep property owners from coughing up still more dollars to maintain the level of services residents of Finney County have come to expect.