As citizens we hold the municipalities we live in accountable for how they handle our money. All too often we hear of an opulent remodeling project, garish furniture, and audiovisual equipment that would make the cineplex on the edge of town feel inadequate.

So when our local governments act responsibly and are careful with our tax dollars, we should recognize them for these good deeds.

Gerald Spates, town manager for Farmville, did just that this week. Not only did he find a work-around solution to help a business do business in Farmville, he managed to add a little extra money to the town’s coffers.

A cellular company called Precision was interested in erecting a cellular antenna within the town, presumably to build its customer base by strengthening its service to the community.

Problem was, Precision didn’t have its own tower. And the prospect of erecting a tower along Griffin Street didn’t set well with the town or the campus community.

Spates donned his thinking cap and came up with a win-win response.

A water tower not far from the Longwood campus bears the Longwood logo, but it doesn’t belong to Longwood. It’s the town’s property. Spates offered Precision a spot on the tower, for a fee that would be much less than building an antenna from the ground up.

The deal was consummated quickly, and provided Precision with the cell service it needs, and provides the town with a little extra revenue each month.

Working collaboratively instead of competitively can work out to the advantage of both sides. Not always, but when it does, the public gets the benefit and, on occasion, the locality gets the glory.

Well done.