Just as individuals have had to find ways to cut costs, it will be interesting to see how governments cope with smaller tax revenues.

After putting up a trial balloon to possibly place the city's public safety building on Library Square, Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker thought better of the concept after a thorough come-uppance from an angry public.

The city is exploring other options, including co-locating the public safety facility with the Salt Lake County district attorney's office in a location near the Matheson Courthouse. It makes sense on a lot of levels, the least of which is cost savings.

It got me to thinking: Why must it take an economic downturn to foster this sort of innovation, particularly when governments are spending our money? We, as taxpayers, should insist upon it.

But when we're fat and sassy — economically speaking — we don't mind the store as we should, either. We spend what we have and borrow a little more for those "extras."

In times of plenty, holding our public officials accountable for spending our money isn't high on our list of priorities.

What about now? Will voters hold the line on bond elections? Or will most voters, as they historically do for special elections, not bother to show up to the polls? Or will they exercise their newfound thrift at the ballot box?

I'm anxious to see how it turns out.

Marjorie Cortez, who believes our new thrift can teach important life lessons, is a Deseret News editorial writer. E-mail her at marjorie@desnews.com.