The DeKalb City Council approved a finance advisory committee at Monday’s meeting.

The vote was unusual as some council members attempted to add an eighth member, former alderman Steve Kapitan, to Mayor Frank Van Buer’s list of seven candidates. The council voted to increase the number of committee chairs available to eight, but Van Buer would not add Kapitan to the list of committee members to be voted on.

Kris Povlsen, 2nd Ward alderman, asked that Kapitan be added specifically because of his background and experience on previous budgets. Dave Baker, 6th Ward alderman and 1st Ward AldermanBertrand Simpson echoed Povlsen’s suggestion.

Van Buer expressed concern over the size of the committee, questioning how functional the committee would be if members were continuously being added. However, Simpson noted that the reason behind the committee’s creation was public outcry at being left out of city finances.

“I don’t buy into the floodgate argument,” Simpson said.

The committee is intended to increase citizen input in the budget process. Community members have spoken out at numerous council meetings over the past two months as the city attempted to deal with a $500,000 shortfall in revenue. The committee will help the council prepare next year’s budget, review DeKalb’s financial policies and look for ways to increase efficiency in the future.

One member of the Finance Advisory Committee, Mac McIntyre, has spoken before the council on several occasions regarding the increase in sales tax. He voiced concern over a lack of citizen involvement as well as the increase itself. When the city begins preparing the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget, he hopes to find ways to cut major capital expenditures such as vehicle purchases, and take a careful look at city contracts currently under negotiation.

“I don’t think I’ll be the most popular committee member,” he said.

Other committee members approved thus far are Marianne Anderson, Cohen Barnes, Mike Larson, Mike Peddle, Gary Peele and Tom Teresinski.