The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County

September 2024

Dear Parishioners,

The Finance Council presents to you the Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year Ended (FYE) June 30, 2025. This budget will provide adequate funding to meet operating needs and ensure current and planned parish programs can continue. Exhibit A provides the projected operational results for the new fiscal year including the projected income and expenses related to the Colbert House. Exhibit B provides the projected income and expense for the Colbert House. 

The operational budget reflects a breakeven net result (i.e. income equals expenses). As compared to the recently completed fiscal year, total income is projected to increase 2.7%, total collections are projected to increase 4.0%, and total expenses are projected to increase 7.7.%. The most significant increases impacted the following categories of expenses: Salaries and Benefits, Insurance, Utilities, and Shared Services. In addition, monies have been included in the budget for the sealing and remarking of the Church parking lot and the refinishing of the Sanctuary wood floors. Neither of these maintenance issues have been done in many years. 

The assumptions used in the development of the budget include but are not limited to the following:

• Inflationary increases for various expenses,
• Property and Building insurance increase of 5%,
• Mandated Priest salary increase, 
• Diocesan suggested a range of salary increases for lay person staff,
• Increases to utility costs, and
• Increases to shared services expenses.

The average budgeted weekly expense excluding expenses related to the Colbert House is $4,596 and becomes the new target for average weekly collection amounts. 

The Council will continue to explore various revenue options to ensure that funding exists for all current and future parish programs and initiatives and to also meet operating needs and requests all parishioners revisit and renew their financial commitment to St. Jamses.

Sincerely, 

Fr. Steve Matthews, Pastor                                                                  Philip Mossman, Fin. Council Chair
James Forster, Council Member                                                         Betty Sundstrom, Council Member
Janis Wallace, Council Member                                                          Teresa Ribaneneyra, Council Member
Mickey Dennis, Trustee                                                                       Denise Berry, Trustee

St. James Annual Budget Report FY25