Reformed people approve a budget that is in the red
Zurich
Reformed people approve a budget that is in the red
The Evangelical Reformed Church in the Canton of Zurich expects a minus of 1.1 million francs in the coming year. The Church Synod on Tuesday approved the 2022 budget with 95 to 2 votes.
The economic consequences of the pandemic are not yet noticeable, according to a statement. The targeted result is based on the requirement that the parish contribution rate is left at 3.10. The church parliament also approved this contribution rate.
Compared to the 2021 budget, personnel expenses have been reduced by CHF 1.1 million to CHF 82.4 million. The reason for this is the adjustment of the calculated social costs. A step increase is budgeted for 2022, but no inflation adjustment. The material costs amount to 11.8 million francs. Almost 11 million francs have been budgeted for contributions.
A minority proposal by the finance commission, which wanted to impose on the church council to save 1 million francs in the budget, did not find a majority in the church parliament. Various synodals argued that the savings target would have been based on the expected increase in staff wages.
Bringing monument and climate protection in harmony
In addition to the budget, the Synod also deals with the question of how the goals of climate protection and monument protection in church buildings can be reconciled.
There is already a process with the preservation of monuments and further activities are planned, such as a social lab. With this method, future-oriented possibilities of real estate use should be created with the involvement of as many interest groups as possible. (sda)