The DeKalb County budget has risen, but not because of increased spending.

The 2009 budget, which was proposed Sept. 3, was presented at almost $73 million. This is up from just over $69 million in 2008, according to the DeKalb County Government Narrative for the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget.

DeKalb County Administrator Ray Bockman said the increase is due to rising costs. He said this budget is very similar to the 2008 budget.

“There really aren’t any big differences,“ Bockman said. “Most of the increases are from our costs going up dramatically.”

Bockman said costs of electricity and other utilities have increased. Labor costs have also risen over the past year, he said.

Bockman said one program added to the budget this year will have a positive impact on both DeKalb and the county as a whole. The proposed addition to the aerial photography program will give the county better maps to be used by engineers in the county. Bockman said the current maps are old and the addition of this program will add several hundred dollars to the budget. He said city engineers across the county assured him they would be very happy to get new maps.

DeKalb City Manager Mark Biernacki said these maps will help the city plan for possible water issues.

“You can use [the maps] primarily to determine drainage and storm water needs,” he said.

Other proposed changes to the budget include a tax increase from 84.5 cents to 85 cents per $100 of the Equalized Assessed Value. This will increase the assessment value of homes in DeKalb County. Health Department fees are proposed to go up along with pay increases for non-union employees.

Bockman said the final determinations for the budget will come Nov. 7.

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