When it comes to borrowing money, the temptation always exists to get a little bit more.

The DeKalb City Council has done just that to some extent with its decision on how much to borrow to pay for a new police station. After saying all along it would borrow no more than $12 million for the station’s construction, aldermen Monday authorized borrowing as much as $12.7 million, adding an extra year to the repayment schedule to make it an even 20 years.

Although the city can borrow and spend $12.7 million, aldermen should keep in mind that nothing compels them to take it to the limit. Yes, interest rates can fluctuate, underwriting a municipal bond issue costs money, and unforeseen circumstances can lead large-scale projects to exceed budget.