HASTINGS, Neb. – The city of Hastings may start displaying the country's national motto in public places following a vote from the city council.

Monday night's meeting, which lasted nearly 2.5 hours, had a notable ordinance to approve.

Ordinance 2025-20 would require certain city property that is open to the public to display the phrase "In God We Trust" and the city of Hastings logo.

The first 55 minutes of the meeting was nearly two dozen residents speaking on the ordinance, with a slight majority for the addition of the motto than against.

Supporters argued in part that the national motto should be displayed in public places, due to showing support for American heritage and patriotism.

"In God We Trust is on our money, it's more than just one single religion," said one Hastings resident named Josh. "It's all Christian religions, and even possibly other religions."

The opposition cited several reasons like the freedom of religion in the first amendment, and several pointed out how there wasn't any previous public hearings regarding this matter, or any knowledge that the council would be voting on this.

Several speakers said at the podium that they had only heard about the matter 'today' (Monday.)

"Although I would never claim to represent the beliefs of all of my congregation members, 'In God We Trust' are not just words, they are a sacred expression of my faith," said Rev. Ben Hanne of Grace United Methodist Church. "To use these words on government buildings, while claiming they are symbolic, and have no specific religious meaning in order to avoid conflict with our first amendment freedoms, cheapens my confession of faith and risks turning something holy into something hollow."

After the public hearing concluded, each council member chimed in on their thoughts.

The ordinance was created by a petition from Ward One representative Michael Anderson, Ward Two representatives, Brad Consbruck and Larry Consbruck, along with Ward Three councilman Marc Rowan.

Ward Four representative Matt Fong spoke on why he believed the ordinance should not be passed.

"As myself personally as a Christian and American, I believe in the separation of church and state," said Fong. "I believe adding this to our city buildings undermines separation. I also believe in religious liberty that provides me the freedom to practice my faith in the church of my choosing, and that same religious liberty makes it so that the government cannot impose a particular viewpoint or slogan on me or anyone else." 

Councilman Anderson addressed some of the public against the ordinance who claimed it was divisive in nature, and not in the best interest of the city council.

"I do find this very interesting that many people stood up here and that this is divisive, it's not," said Anderson. "It's not about division, in my opinion, it is your own choice to feel divided. If we put it up, it doesn't mean that anybody walking into a building is left out, because that's not whatever they feel, that's not it at all."

After lengthy discussion, the vote passed 5-3, with the introducers plus Ward One representative Steve Huntley all voting for, and Fong, Brian Hoffman, and Maggie Esch voting no.

The ordinance can put signage in at least 12 public spaces including the Hastings Aquacourt, Duncan Field, the Hastings City Building, the Hastings Municipal Airport, the Development Services Department, both Hastings Fire and Rescue stations, the Hastings Museum, the Parks and Rec office building, the Hastings Police Department, the Hastings Public Library, the Hastings Utilities Department, and other locations determined by the City Administrator and approved by the Mayor.

With the ordinance passing it's still unclear on who will pay for the signs, how big they will be, and when they will be put in place.