Minutes of the Vestry Budget Meeting - January 12, 2014

Opening and Attendance

The vestry convened for a meeting after church on 1/12/14 in order to prepare a budget for the upcoming year.
 Present at the meeting were: Pastor Kristin Orr; the senior warden, Audrey Ongman; vestry members Candice Barrera, Anne Edwards, Steve Hofer, Greg Lawrence, Gale Michael, Mark Moxley, Patti Pohrte, and Jim Whitfield; the treasurer, Debbi Huggett; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. The junior warden, Bill Bestow, was absent.

Housing Allowance

The first order of business was the following motion put forth by Audrey Ongman:
Whereas the Reverend Kristin Orr is employed as a minister of the Gospel by the Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist in Flossmoor, IL, which, although providing a residence, does not provide the full cost of maintaining and furnishing such a residence, the vestry resolves that, of the total compensation to be paid to the Rev. Orr during 2014, $3,000.00 be designated a parsonage allowance within the meaning of that term as used in Section 107 of the IRS Code of 1986. This housing allowance will apply to the year 2014 and all future years unless otherwise provided.
Greg Lawrence seconded the motion, and it passed.

2014 Budget

Debbi Huggett reported that St. John’s collected 94% of what was pledged in 2013. In addition, approximately $5,000 still is expected to come in.

Income: 
The pledge total for 2014 is ~$187,000.
Twenty-five pledges were increased over last year.
There were seven new pledges, and four people left as a result of relocation or death.
Although there are more new pledges than lost pledges, the total dollar amount is lower. In addition to pledges, there also will be income from building use gifts (e.g. Girl Scouts and A.A.), loose offerings, special events, and special-purpose gifts (e.g. the organ upgrade and carpet replacement). With these additional sources, the total income for 2014 is projected at ~$240,000.

Expenses: 
 Over the years expenses have been trimmed from the budget where they can be trimmed. The budget choices at this point mostly include the amount for the diocesan pledge as well as salaries and benefits adjustments.

Discussion
The vestry considered the diocesan pledge and whether or not to fully fund the open parish position of Director of Christian Education for the full year.
The vestry also discussed cost-of-living increases for the staff. During this part of the discussion, those who would be directly affected (Pastor Orr and Mark Moxley, whose wife is the interim office manager) left the room.

Budget Decisions

Greg Lawrence moved:
that the budget would be based on the full amount that has been pledged,
that all staff would receive a 3% pay increase starting with the next paycheck,
that the diocesan giving would be increased by 3%,
and that a line amount for children/youth ministry be funded at the same amount as budgeted in 2013 for the Director of Christian Education.
Steve Hofer seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
The budget having been approved, the meeting concluded.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry

Approved:  March 17, 2014