Vestry Special Meeting Minutes

Monday, December 29, 2025

Present: Rev. Bob Carlson presiding, Rich Gabrielson (2); Deb Marrer (2) Brian Erle (1); and Maui Palmiter (1)

The meeting opened at 1:10 with prayer.

The main purpose of this meeting was to adjust the 2026 budget, and go through each line item to see if we can cut costs. Also the Vestry discussed our desire to increase the salaries of all church employees and our Vicar.

2026 Budget and Income Review:

The Vestry reviewed Rich’s printouts of the new 2026 budget breakdown, and our Jan-Dec 2025 income. 2025 pledges totaled $67,380, and 2026 pledges totaled $59,800 (a decrease of $7,580) We calculated that salaries for all employees comprise about 1/2 of our budgeted income for 2025.

We decreased line item amounts for 2026 Equipment Maintenance, Repair and Lawn Care quite a bit to $200 each. (because having the Cranmer fellows maintain the property will cut the cost down a lot). We decided to rename and increase the line item for Snow Removal/Salt to $500. We also lowered the Church Property Insurance line item by $900 (with the intention of the Cranmer Fellowship paying some of the rectory insurance cost)

With the money we cut and saved from the budget, the Vestry discussed salaries, and also the possibility of setting aside some of the monthly savings to an escrow account for a future rector’s salary. Rich proposed creating a line item called Future Rector under EverBank, with the hopes of putting $500/month into this new account.

The Vestry also came to a consensus of giving all church employees a raise of 5%, and Reverend Bob an increase of 15%. These salaries will be voted on at our next monthly Vestry meeting in January.

Rectory and Cranmer Fellowship:

Jonathan Groves has reached out and let us know that he will keep a closer eye on snow removal and upkeep. We are hoping that he can oversee and coordinate a weekly schedule which can be given to Brian, so that we know in advance as to who will be clearing and salting the ramp and sidewalks (Which need to be checked daily).  Rich will speak to Jonathan to discuss this, and also talk to Matt about having the Rectory residents each sign the agreement we had written up. We feel there could be more communication and coordination in a few areas, and perhaps monthly check-ins.

Door Codes:

Deb will be giving Dori Church and Pat Storms door codes for the church this week.

Meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.