Photo: John Clagett, Mitchell First UMC listens to the budget presentation during the 23rd session of the Dakotas Annual Conference in Sioux Falls. Photo by jlynn studio.

The 2017 budget was approved at the twenty-third session of the Dakotas Annual Conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota June 9-11, 2016.  The 2017 budget amount of $ 4,361,252 was approved at a slight decrease of -0.05% compared to the 2016 budget total of $4,365,000. 

The presentation of the 2017 incorporated two big changes. First, the budget shows a more complete picture. All income soureces were presented. Apportionments provide for most of the income for conference’s budget, income from other sources contribute to the overall budget. The Dakotas United Methodist Foundation provides income from endowments as well as investment earnings. Donations and registration fees to operate our camps, Haiti Solar Oven Partners, Spirit Lake Ministry Center, and Bakken Oil Rush Outreach are another source of income.

A four-year budget projection was also part of the 2017 budget presentation. The four-year projection creates a plan and serves to communicate more consistently future plans for the pathways and programs of the conference.

Highlights and changes in the 2017 budget include:

• Emphasis on clergy recruitment by the Board of Ordained Ministry. The 2016 Miracle will provide funding for Elisha Internships. The internship is an opportunity for young people to explore their call to ministry. 

• Camp and Retreat ministry continues to work on moving towards a financial position where apportionment dollars will not be needed.  The Dakotas UM Foundation has created a annual fund drive to assist in this effort.

• The Board of Pensions will offer more choices. In 2017, pastors will chose between two plans of different value: a gold plan or a silver plan. This is a step towards giving pastors more choice in what health benefits best meet their specific needs. Beyond 2017, the Board of Pensions would like to offer several HealthFlex plans including the option to add vision or dental coverage.

• In 2017, the conference will spend close to $727,000 on new churches, revitalization, and leadership development. A third of this cost will be offset by Thrive funds allowing the conference to move forward quicker than would normally be possible.

• 2015 was the first year on record that the Dakotas Conference paid General Church Apportionments in full and on time. This will become a greater challenge in future years and is included in the 2017 budget.

• $20,000 was added to support the Bakken Oil Rush Outreach in Watford City. The Konsors have planted a ministry that is strongly supported by people in that region. They have incorporated and established a board.

In other legislative action:

Approved a resolution that the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church sign on as a coalition partner with South Dakotans for Responsible Lending and join in advocating to cap payday, car title, and installment loans at an annual interest rate of 36%.

The site for annual conference for the next four years was approved as follows: 2017 Bismarck, 2018 Sioux Falls, 2019 Bismarck, 2020 Sioux Falls.

Rule changes were approved that allow for: peer clergy ministry groups instead of mandated ministry teams, an area director of camp and retreat ministry, an area council for camp and retreat ministry, co-conference lay leaders and co-district lay leaders.

Conference officers were elected for the next four years: Christopher Hanson, conference secretary, Jeff Pospisil, conference treasurer, JoAnn Schlimgen, conference statistician, Nancy Oviatt, conference chancellor for South Dakota, Tom Ottmar, conference and chancellor for North Dakota.

Laity elected to leadership for this quadrenium are: Quaya Ackerman, co-conference lay leader, Myrna Hill, co-conference lay leader, Don Fox and Steve Schlasner, Eastern Sunrise District co-lay leaders, Nancy Hallenbeck and Val Melmer, Glacial Lakes District co-lay leaders, Julia Jones and Richard Wahlstrom, Prairie Hills co-lay leaders, Janck Hincks and Barb Owens, Sakakawea District co-lay leaders.