The DeKalb County Board agreed to adopt the $73 million budget for the 2009 fiscal year, Wednesday.

Despite the struggling economy, Michael Haines, DeKalb County board member and Finance Committee chair, said DeKalb County is in a good financial state and the upcoming budget is balanced.

“Unlike some of our neighboring counties, Winnebago or DuPage, which do have financial difficulties right now, DeKalb County doesn’t,” Haines said.

Haines attributed DeKalb County’s finances to forward thinking. He said the 2009 budget is also forward thinking because it places money in various accounts to replace and renew equipment.

The budget includes an increase in DeKalb County’s building fund for a new jail and criminal justice facility expected for the future.

The board also approved a salary increase for Dennis Miller, DeKalb County Coroner and ESDA director, from the original 2009 increase of $38,500 to $40,000.

County Board Member Marlene Allen proposed the increase.

“Dennis’ job is 24/7,” she said. “I feel like he deserves this.”

Haines said the salary change would not make any difference to the taxpayer, and that they originally set the increase to be fair.

“The issue had nothing to do with performance,” Haines said. “It just had to do with the increase being consistent with the other increases within county employees.”