Waco Residents Can Now Weigh In On City Funding With New Website

The City of Waco is asking for your opinion.

If you are a resident of Waco here's your chance to have a say in how the city decides to spend some of its American Rescue Plan Act funding. In March the Act was passed to help provide COVID-19 relief to citizens and local governments and provides $34.7 million for the city.The city received it's first payment in June and expects it's second payment June of 2022.

With this new website that the city has created residents can now leave feedback on how they think $17 million dollars should be used. The 'Balancing Act' tool allows people to create a budget based on the funding. With sectors like building improvements, housing, down payment assistance and job training there a few good choices for citizens. After creating the simulated budget it will then be submitted as a recommendation.

When submitting your recommendation keep in mind $15 million has been allocated improvements to infrastructure. $2 million is on reserve for changing conditions brought on by the pandemic.

According to the city's budgeting office, if things go well the city can use this new tool for other budgeting questions. This new technology is just the beginning of a new way.

To send in your opinion for the budget click here.