DeKALB – The DeKalb City Council is one step closer to approving the fire department’s proposal to hire five more firefighters over the next year to avoid rising overtime costs.

The proposal is expected to be voted on at the next City Council meeting. Mayor Kris Povlsen said he anticipates the proposal will be approved because it has been vetted in previous meetings.

In his presentation to the City Council on Monday, Interim Fire Chief Eric Hicks said the additional manpower will allow the department to avoid paying overtime if a firefighter calls in sick or is hurt.