The city of Shenandoah created a fund to utilize the first of its American Rescue Plan Act funding during a Sept. 8 meeting.

The fund was unanimously approved by the Shenandoah City Council and will serve the purpose of tracking expenses using the federal funds.

The city is set to receive around $740,000 in federal funding from the act. According to information submitted with the council's agenda, the money is restricted to being used for coronavirus expenditures or negative economic impacts, including "assistance to small businesses, households, hard-hit industries and economic recovery," along with pay for essential workers and investments in water, sewer and broadband services.

The city received its first payment of $370,000 on Aug. 23. The use of the funds are anticipated to be discussed during the council's October meetings.