Reports - Central Illinois District - Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

TREASURER’S REPORT – Mr. John RodenburgTreasurer’s Report to 2009 ConventionJuly, 2006 to June, 2009 TrienniumI praise the Lord that this triennium has been relatively uneventful from the Treasurer’s perspective. TheTreasurer is a member of the Finance and Management committee and the Board of Directors. The Treasurer alsochairs the Budget Committee and oversees the bookkeeping and financial functions. Some years we spent morethan we received, and other years received more than we spent. On the balance, CID has maintained a strongfinancial position in the face of no growth. We thank all the Churches for their support.The District’s biggest financial struggles have been in how much support to give declining missions or missionsthat are high cost relative to their outreach. Part of the struggle is due to the high cost of maintaining buildings.One location that we struggled with was Jacksonville deaf. The Lord provided the answer by way of flooddamage. As I am sure is reported elsewhere, the parsonage part of this building should be torn down by now, andplans are underway for an easy to maintain, handicap accessible office and meeting area. We give special thanksto the CID Extension Fund for providing the bulk of the financial support needed to carry out this project.In January 2007, the District outsourced its payroll function to ADP. This has simplified life greatly. At about thesame, the District replaced a full-time secretary with a part time bookkeeper – Kim Randall. We are thankful toher for her good work. Also of note, on December 31, 2006, the District switched to a calendar year for financialreporting. Previously it was a January 15 fiscal year. This switch also greatly simplified reporting andbookkeeping. During the triennium, the District switched from Option A to Option B with Concordia Plans. In thefall of 2008 in a “green” move, the District began distributing monthly financial statements to the board and staffvia email. In the fall of 2008, the District put a new roof on the office building. At the end of 2008, we had all thedistrict buildings appraised for replacement cost purposes. Total replacement cost (not fair market value) is justshy of $12 million. The current budget includes funds to increase the insurance coverage on these properties. Thecost of increased coverage has been offset by a cost decrease in workers compensation due to selecting a newcarrier.You should find a copy of the Districts 2008 audited financial statements elsewhere in this package. If not, pleasecall the District office for a copy. To recap the triennium (in round numbers):12/31/06 12/31/07 12/31/08Cash & CD’s $813,000 $867,000 $926,222Surplus / (Deficit) ($212,600) ($5,000) $43,000I have three areas of concern. The first is the amount of property the District owns and the cost of maintaining it.The second is use of District funds to make staff housing loans. The District needs to work with the CEF if staffmembers need mortgages in the future. Lastly, the scholarship funding level for Synodical students is not what itneeds to be. The District adopted a resolution to fund the Endowment Fund with any unspent scholarship money.This has added about $50,000 to the endowment in the last triennium, but we need to do more. We especiallythank the Clara and Spencer Werner Foundation for their generous support.To quote an old-time board member from my congregation, I’m happy to report that this triennium was “businessas usual.” I’m also very happy to report that the 2009 budget as adopted calls for a deficit of less that $100,000compared to over $200,000 budgeted deficits in prior years. We have been blessed. My term limitation has beenreached, and I’ll be happy to assist the new Treasurer if I’m needed.In his service, John Rodenburg2009 Convention Section B – Reports Page 13