Budget Cuts
When a budget isn’t being met, one of several great things to do is to see where expenses can be cut, so revenue doesn’t have to be so high. As of last week our budget deficit stood at -$25,763. This week, after council action, it stands considerably below that figure. Here’s what has been cut.
Pastor Pieper’s Summer School: $1,700
Pastor Pieper’s Parsonage Window Coverings: $3,500
Pastor Pieper’s Housing Equity Allowance: $2,384
Pastor Pfeifer’s Housing Equity Allowance: $1,467
Total Savings from cuts by December 31, 2008: $9,051
This total amount will not automatically reduce the deficit, but over the course of the year as these expenditures were scheduled to be made, they will not add to the deficit. In addition the council has decided not to purchase the second parsonage by the end of the year. We will still be collecting funds, but these will no longer be counted towards our budgeted need. This alone gives us a current $10,000 reduction in our deficit. We also hope to under-spend certain accounts, but we cannot plan on that (the cool spring has helped a lot!).
We are asking our members to look deep into their heart and dig deeply into their pocketbook to meet the financial challenges we face. The church leadership is doing the same on the expense side of the budget. With everyone doing what they can, we can get through the current difficulties.
June 08