Answer
2002.
Work Step by Step
Given model as $f(x)=0.7714x^2-3.693x+297.9$, let $a=0.7714, b=-3.693$, the minimum of spending will happen when $x=-\frac{b}{2a}=-\frac{-3.693}{2(0.7714)}\approx2.4$ meaning in year 2002.
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