he city of DeKalb had some good news at its Monday night workshop – the city will enter 2005 on a fiscally balanced basis.

Linda Wiggins, administrative services director, delivered the budget preview to the city council and said there are no proposed tax increases or fees.

“Overall, we are in much, much better shape than last year,” Wiggins said.

However, there are some areas that still are not funded adequately.

“Tonight is the first of many discussions for fiscal year 2005,” City Manager Mark Biernacki said.

FY 2005 includes the restoration of five to eight vacant positions, constant municipal services, a downtown cleaning contract, one debt service payment for tollway interchange bond and continued funding of Human Services Program, Municipal Band and Senior Citizen Utility Assistance Program.

Wiggins said there also will not be any new or expanded programs or services.

DeKalb Fire Chief Lanny Russell told the council about a grant the fire department received to create a technical rescue team.

The team would be responsible for search-and-rescue situations.

Russell said the department will receive $185,000 for equipment and extra money for training.

The technical rescue team grant includes equipment for trench technicians and structural collapse operations.

“We’re seeing a tremendous amount of development in the DeKalb area and if something collapses it would be a delicate situation to get someone out,” Russell said.

Russell said there would be minimal cost to the city since the grant will cover equipment and training.