The city of DeKalb is on par with their budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

Assistant City Manager Rudy Espiritu presented the second quarter report during the city council meeting Monday.

The city is projecting a $1-million surplus by the end of FY2009, Espiritu said.

“With only six months worth of data, our numbers could change,” Espiritu said.

The city had saved $700,000 alone by not filling six positions and having every department watch their spending, Espiritu said.

“Even with this downturn in the economy,” Espiritu said, “we still have a balanced budget.”

He said the council predicted trouble in the future with the economy which helped them maintain a balanced budget.

“Because we were ahead of the curve and addressed this early, we are in a better position than other municipalities,” Espiritu said.

Also at the meeting, Bruce Harrison, former assistant fire chief, was promoted to fire chief.

This comes after former fire Chief Lanny Russell retired in late July after six years as fire chief, according to Northern Star archives.

Harrison was made acting fire chief in the wake of Russell’s retirement, but as of Aug. 6, 2008, there were no formal plans of making Harrison the permanent chief.

According to Northern Star archives, Harrison said Russell served the community well, and it would be a great honor to work as the department’s chief.

At the meeting, Harrison said he was humbled to be appointed to this position.

“I am very pleased to be your fire chief,” Harrison said.

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