“WE HAD promised everything to everybody and were doing practically nothing for anyone. There’s only so much you as a city can do to solve all the world’s problems.” Those words of caution from former mayor Anthony Williams about the trouble the District got into with its profligate spending in the 1990s need to be stressed as the D.C. Council begins its deliberations on the budget proposed for next year by Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D).

The $13.8 billion proposal would be the largest in the District’s history, with spending increases in areas such as schools, affordable housing, child care, emergency services and bridge and road repair. It is a responsible document that addresses the major challenges facing the District with affordable investments and innovative programs. But to critics, the proposal does not do enough to help the neediest D.C. residents; they argue that a city government so flush with money should spend more on social services. Why not, they ask, tap the city’s reserves or — even better — delay $100 million earmarked by the mayor for tax relief to residents?

Council members should resist both suggestions. No question the city currently has no financial worries, but fiscal prudence and uncertainty about what President Trump and the Republican Congress have in store for cities argue against spending surplus monies. It also would not be in the best interest of residents and businesses to put off tax reform that was the result of painstaking work by a Tax Revision Commission, which Mr. Williams helped lead. Most of the benefits — $60 million — will benefit low- and moderate-income families, a fact that we hope will not be lost on the council in its upcoming deliberations.

Clearly the council should not just rubber stamp Ms. Bowser’s proposed budget, which deserves careful scrutiny. But we would urge legislators — in light of a series of reports from the D.C. auditor finding fault with the performance of some government programs — to question the efficiency and effectiveness of how tax dollars are already being spent. As Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) aptly pointed out, “spending more money doesn’t necessarily get you more results. We celebrate the spending . . . not the end results.”

The deliberations will occur at a time when speculation has already started over who on the council might challenge Ms. Bowser in her expected bid for reelection. So expect political posturing and grandstanding. Let’s just hope it doesn’t result in promises the city won’t be able to keep.