Amended budget OK’d at district meeting

The 2006 Corpus Christi District Conference May 7 at First UMC, Beeville, was an excellent session, with many action items on the agenda. More than 100 people attended.
Thank you to the pastors and hostesses at Beeville who provided their usual welcoming hospitality. Thank you also to the Rev. David Seilheimer, who represented the annual conference and provided insight into what will be different in arrangements and agenda this year.
At the District Conference, an amended 2006 budget was approved. Decisions that were part of the amended budget included:
> Using reserve funds to pay off the debt on the office building, saving about $15,000 interest over the next few years but slightly lowering annual interest income in 2006.
> Shifting Cheryl Worley, district program director, to half-time rather than full-time.
> Having the Corpus Christi District participate in the Congregational Transformation Process.
> Enrolling Corpus Christi District lay employees in the UMC pension program June 1.
> Approving installation of sprinkler systems at the office and the district parsonage.
> Making office hours 8 a.m. to noon during July.
> Providing support for a campus ministry intern.
> Participating in regional TV ads for September, Christmas and Easter.
Additional decisions included:
> Revising district committee structure to include teams for strategic planning, leadership development and disaster relief.
> Approving the 2007 budget, which reflected a 3.9 percent increase in apportionments.
District trustees reported the following changes:
> Debt on the office building was fully paid off Dec. 31, 2005.
> The parsonage has had exterior painting.
> The office building has had interior painting.
> The office driveway has been repaved.
> A new exterior road sign has been installed at the office.
> A new handicap accessible ramp exists on the front of the office building.