Despite approval by a split vote of 4-3 at Monday night’s city council meeting, DeKalb City Manager Mark Biernacki said he’s ready to take on his position.

“I think the split vote was a reflection of the politics in DeKalb,” Biernacki said.

One of the first duties he will take on as manager is to present a balanced Fiscal Year 2005 budget to the city council, which can prove to be quite a challenge, he said.

“I think the revenue will be lower than we expected and the expense higher than we expected,” he said.

Biernacki said he also will look at creating a procedure to give DeKalb strong, long-term fiscal health.

“I hope to have a balance of residential and commercial development,” he said.

Biernacki said he submitted his application in October and found out in November that he was one of the top 10 applicants.

He interviewed for the position and began negotiating the terms of his contract in December.

“I look forward to being with an excellent workforce,” Biernacki said.

Biernacki previously worked in DeKalb’s community development department for about 10 years.

Former Mayor Bessie Chronopoulos, who was the mayor when Biernacki worked there, said they worked on several projects together and that he was helpful.

Biernacki then moved to Elgin and became its community development director. There, he oversaw three departments with 45 employees.

David Dorgan, city manager in Elgin, said Biernacki was a key part of the team.

During Biernacki’s year working in Elgin, seven major subdivisions equaling about 4,000 acres were built.

“He worked on a number of redevelopment projects,” Dorgan said. “He was a fine man with a good work ethic.”

Biernacki’s first day on the job will be Feb. 17. He said his wife, Mary Kate, a son and two stepchildren are happy to move back to DeKalb.

“They were all raised in the area, so we look forward to being with family and friends,” Biernacki said.

He said he doesn’t foresee any problems with working with the city council or Mayor Greg Sparrow, despite the controversy over his salary and severance package.

“I trust that is behind us now,” Biernacki said.

Biernacki will take on the position with a $122,120 salary and a one-year severance package.

“I hope we can move forward and look to the future,” Biernacki said. “I need the support and direction of the city council.”