These are tough times for nonprofits. The economy is down and the demand for the services they provide is up. So it's little wonder that none have stepped forward to take the reins of the annual Independence Day festivities on Columbia's lakefront.

It's also understandable that the county government is shouldering that burden again this year. But as a long-term solution, it's far from ideal.

For 18 years, the Columbia Kiwanis ran the show and did it well. But like many other service organizations all over the nation, their numbers have dwindled. Last year, the local group reached its breaking point, announcing in March 2008 that it no longer had the manpower to stage the lakefront Fourth.

The county government freed up $100,000 to keep it going last year. This year, with no help on the horizon, the county is again footing the bill, but this time with a recessionary version of the traditional celebration with a price tag in the neighborhood of $60,000.

Having to spend any of the general fund at all for something not ordinarily in the scope of government responsibilities cannot be warming the hearts of budget hawks during this revenue slump. Worse, though, is the precedent being established. It may have already become expected for the taxpayers to pay for fireworks and entertainers on the Fourth.

While it's a minor expense relative to other items in the county budget, every dollar counts in this economy. Moreover, to have the county in charge of the Independence Day celebration amounts to an expansion of government that, both philosophically and practically, goes against the grain.

In communities across the country that have long-established Fourth of July observances -- Laurel and Catonsville come to mind as nearby examples -- civic-minded volunteers run nonprofit groups whose sole function is organizing the fireworks and fun for Independence Day. Last year we proposed that the county government set up such an organization. We still think it's a good idea.

It would be right and prudent for the county to provide seed money and whatever logistical support might be required and practical. But the government needs to extricate itself from direct responsibility for the Fourth as soon as it realistically can.

However, it appears that time won't come anytime soon. Spokesman Kevin Enright told us this week that the county government has put out numerous feelers seeking both financial help for the Fourth and volunteers to form a new group to run the annual event but has gotten nary a nibble.

He's also not so sure it's a bad idea for the county to keep its hand in organizing the event. After all, he observed, the county is inevitably involved anyway in coordinating police and fire support and other logistical necessities.

"We'd love to have somebody else pay for it," Enright said. "We'll do the heavy lifting."

But in order to put on the kind of event the community has come to expect truly takes a year-long planning process and putting that on the government's plate would draw its attention away from more practical matters to an unacceptable degree.

The county needs a partner. Any takers?

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