DeKALB – In the past five years, nine new businesses have been developed in downtown DeKalb.

Eighteen new businesses have been developed along Sycamore Road, along with nine along Lincoln Highway and five along Annie Glidden Road. During the same time, the city’s overall equalized assessed property value has dipped about 10 percent from $645 million to $582 million.

Meanwhile, the city increased its general fund savings from $21,869 in 2010 to a projected $5 million, or about 17 percent of annual expenses in 2013. Overall, city staff was reduced from 237 full-time equivalent positions in 2009 to 211 this year.