COUNTING CAREFULLY. An online exercise allows Eau Claire residents to show their spending priorities by divvying up 100 imaginary dollars in pandemic recovery aid. (Photo via Unsplash)

The City of Eau Claire expects to receive $13.5 million in federal pandemic recovery aid from the federal government over the next two years – and, any way you slice it, that’s a lot of money. Which is probably why the city is asking residents to consider their spending priorities with a more easy-to-comprehend figure: $100.

Now through Sunday, Oct. 10, city residents are invited to provide input to the Eau Claire City Council via an easy online budgeting exercise. “This online tool gives you the opportunity to share your priorities by telling us how you would allocate $100 among the categories that are allowed in the Act,” the website explains. “You can put all the money in one category or divide it up however you like.”

The categories include Business, Charity, Common Good, Essential Workers, Health, Home/Family, Infrastructure, and Leisure/Tourism.

The federal COVID-19 recovery aid is expected to come via the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Fund, which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act, which was approved by Congress last spring.

“There are specific guidelines and laws that must be followed in order for the City of Eau Claire to receive the money, and the Eau Claire City Council wants input directly from residents on where you think those funds should go,” the website states. “Ultimately, decisions will need to follow those guidelines and laws, but direct input from you, as a member of the community, is a very important part of the process.”

If you’re interested, take a few minutes to create your own budget by going online here.