FY27 - BUDGET FORUM

May 21st, 2026
by Jason Bendickson

THE FY27 Budget Forum was held on May 13, 2026

Here's a video -- unfortunately, the video did not record well (specifically the audio). Click HERE to read a transcript. A summary of the meeting is provided below.

The conversation regarding the FY27 Salt House Budget focused on a draft proposal that anticipates a 7% increase in spending while aiming for a nearly balanced budget. Key highlights of the discussion include:

Income and Giving Trends: The vast majority of income comes from congregational giving, with approximately one-fifth coming from church rent. While the church had to adjust estimates down in recent years due to shortfalls, there was optimism following a strong April performance.
Rent Increases: The budget proposes a 2% rent increase for the three churches that use the Salt House facility.
Staffing as the Primary Investment: Staffing remains the largest budget item, accounting for 80% to 85% of total spending. The FY27 budget includes funding for Pastor David for the first 13 weeks of the fiscal year.
Investment in Family Programs: There is a strategic increase in funding for family and nursery programs, as these are viewed as critical drivers for membership and attendance.
Unavoidable Building Costs: Costs for insurance, utilities, and property taxes are rising. Additionally, the budget allocates $4,000 for planned building improvements, such as roof and door work, and increases the security monitoring budget.
Emergency Fund and Reserves: The council aims to refill the emergency fund to a $21,000 level. The church currently holds about $200,000 in savings from a previous land sale, with a goal of maintaining a buffer of two to four months of operating expenses (approximately $100,000 to $120,000).
Guest Preachers: The budget includes $8,000 to fund two guest speakers per month. This allows Pastor Sarah to focus on program development and other ministries that are difficult to manage while preaching every week.
Future Staffing Goals: While not included in the FY27 budget to avoid a deficit, there was significant discussion about hiring a new full-time pastor in the future. Estimates suggest this would require a major investment of at least $120,000 per year when including benefits.
Next Steps: The Salt House Council will review the feedback from this forum to finalize a proposed budget, which the congregation will then vote to ratify or modify on June 14th