The leadership staff and directors of the Tacoma Rescue Mission met all day Wednesday and Thursday of this week to go help shape a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 01, 2009 and runs through June of 2010. Here’s an earlier blog on some of the issues we took into the meeting.
Let me begin by saying thank you to Sue Horgen, the Chief Financial Officer of the Tacoma Rescue Mission for all the work she puts into preparing and managing this budget process. She is truly a gift to this organization and the important work we do to help transform lives of the homeless of Pierce County. In addition, thanks are in order to the Directors who worked hard to give us an accurate picture of their needs, challenges and dreams for their programs and staff. Everybody came prepared and that made the process much easier than in years past.
On the whole, here are some of the major issues which we will be presenting in our budget to the finance committee and board in the the month of June.
1. We are budgeting create a new pay-band for our shift managers that would bring all staff members who make under $10 an hr. to above $10. We will do this by adding $1 an hr. to those who fit this description. This would mean that a shift manager who makes $9.75 an hr. would make $10.75 effectly July 1. There are several employees who fit this criteria and this will be a large financial committment.
2. We are committing to incrementally adding staff to our Women and Family Ministries in anticipation of the completion of Adams Sq.. This means that we are budgeting the addition of two positions in this department in the new budget.
3. We are creating a new Youth Ministries Dept. in which James Leet will be a Director. Previously our Youth Ministries was a subset of Tyler Sq. and the Family Shelter. There will be increased program and equipment supplies for this new department.
4. Need a Break Ministries will seek to increase support of Families living on the edge. We have budgeted these funds so that we can help those families who need car, home repairs but because of the tough financial times could not otherwise do these projects – thus making it even harder them to get to work, interviews etc.
5. Benefits to staff are untouched in this budget and remain fully funded.
6. Physical improvements to facilities are various. We have hopes of improving the exercise room in for New Life Program, replacing the playtoy and addition a half court basketball court to Tyler Sq., to name a few of the larger ticket items. These are things we budget, but only spend once the money has been identified and positive budget trends for the fiscal year are clear. Thanks again for your help in making this happen. If you have any questions let me know.
David
