The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on December 17, 2024, at 6:34 p.m. at the home of Bill Beach. Present were Senior Warden Bill Beach, Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Treasurer Linda Curtis, Darden Barrett, Scott Curtis, Ellen Griffith, Ron Kindley, Jim Klotz, Brad Norris and The Reverend Lisa Erdeljon, Lynn Kirkland joined via phone.
Ascertainment of Quorum: A quorum was present.
Substitute Registrar: Ellen Griffith agreed to fill in as the Registrar for this meeting.
Approval of Minutes: A Motion was made by Ellen Griffith to approve the Minutes of the November meeting, seconded by Ron Kindley. The motion was approved unanimously.
Agenda Update: A motion was made by Scott Curtis to change the order of the agenda items to Nominations and then Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Darden Barrett. The motion was approved unanimously.
Nominations: Endowment Board, Finance Committee, and Charitable Trust all have terms expiring 12/31/24.
- Endowment Board: Jim Klotz motioned to approve Doug Perry to fulfill the position on the Endowment Board, Darden Barrett seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
- Finance Committee: Jim Klotz motioned to approve Dan Clark to fulfill the position on the Finance Committee, Ron Kindley seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
- Charitable Trust: Jim Klotz motioned to approve Susan Edmonson to fulfill the position on the Charitable Trust with a term expiring Dec 2028, David Messersmith to fulfilled the position on the Charitable Trust with a term expiring Dec 2029, Denine Miller to fulfilled the position on the Charitable Trust with a term expiring Dec 2030; Scott Curtis seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis: Linda presented the November budget, see attached. Current year income is over $100,000 more than current year expenses. Plate has surpassed the 2024 year budgeted amount. The electricity bill continues to be high compared to previous years, due to usage and not just a rate increase. Bill will take over getting an energy audit done. Large portion of November expenses went to Outreach & St. Anne’s Christmas projects. Hoffman House had an August check not clear, so it was voided and reissued.
Budget: The Budget for 2025 was made using Nov 23-Oct 24 expenses plus what is already known. Lisa says that our current salaries are on the low side. She and Linda have 2 budget proposals to consider. Both budgets raise the Music Director’s salary, make the Parish Administrator’s position full time, show all known raises in office expenses, and account for the increase in utility bills. Budget option 1 does not include an hourly rate increase for the Parish Administrator or Sexton. Budget Option 2 brings the Parish Administrator more in line with market rate on the position and gives the Sexton a COLA raise.
Ron Kindley motioned to approve the budget option 2, Bill Beach seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Adjournment: A Motion was made by Scott Curtis to adjourn the meeting at 7:18 p.m. and seconded by Jim Klotz. The motion was approved unanimously.