With half the fiscal year’s numbers in, DeKalb is hoping for a $1 million surplus by the end of the fiscal year.

Rudy Espiritu, DeKalb assistant city manager, attributes the potential surplus to six positions that became vacant in the fiscal year 2009 and were not filled by the city. He added that none of the vacant positions were due to lay-offs.

The amount of surplus, however, is dependent on how revenues come in for the remainder of the fiscal year.

“We are anticipating this surplus, but it depends on the revenue for the next six months,” Espiritu said. “If trends continue to go down, we won’t get as big of a surplus as we anticipated.”

The potential surplus would build up money lost in the fiscal years 2007 and 2008 in the terminal reserve fund after both years ended in deficits, Espiritu said.

The vacant positions are property maintenance inspector, assistant fire chief, one firefighter, two police officers and community development director.

DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen said not filling the two vacancies on the police force means the department may have to cut services.

“Certainly we never like to lose personnel when the demand for service keeps going up,” Feithen said. “If these cuts stay in place, we’re going to have to look at ways to reduce services. It all comes down to a big question of what the community can afford.”

Feithen said the police department will be working with the city council to come up with a budget that everyone is comfortable with.

After the DeKalb Assistant Fire Chief position was not filled, the fire department has had to adapt in its absence.

“It was simply necessary — the city is low on revenue,” said DeKalb Fire Chief Bruce Harrison. “We hope to get the position back one day, but this is just something we need to learn to work with.”

Harrison said having a vacant position will affect the way the fire department does business, but he is hopeful that it does not have a negative impact.

Budget workshops for the fiscal year 2010 will begin in May. Espiritu said the city is closely watching the budget and an update will be given when the fiscal year 2010 budget is submitted.

Although the city is currently anticipating a surplus, Espiritu stressed how much municipalities are being impacted by the economy.

“We are fortunate to have a surplus when many will not,” Espiritu said.