The nation’s motto may be making its way to the city building.

Butler City Council will vote Thursday whether to follow in Butler County’s footsteps by displaying a plaque stating “In God We Trust” in its chambers.

Mayor Tom Donaldson presented the motion to council Tuesday night.

“There’s no harm in it,” Donaldson said. “Pull out a dollar bill from your wallet, or a five or ten, and it’s on there.”

The city received an e-mailed request to display the motto in the City Building from the nonprofit organization In God We Trust~America, which claims to be dedicated to spreading the mission of patriotism.

The county commissioners voted last week to approve displaying a plaque with the phrase in the Butler County Judicial and Government Center after receiving the same request.

Commissioners Dale Pinkerton and Bill McCarrier voted for the resolution while Jim Eckstein opposed it.

Eckstein said at that meeting that the plaque may become a legal issue for the county, specifically with the American Civil Liberties Union.

City solicitor James Coulter said Tuesday night he does not anticipate any legal problems in displaying the motto.

“It’s the national motto. It’s all over the place,” he said.

Congress on July 30, 1956, adopted “In God We Trust” as the national motto.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 1, 2011, voted 396 to 9 in favor of reaffirming the phrase as the nation’s motto.

Donaldson said the city would display it in its third-floor meeting room, where council holds its monthly sessions.

Other authorities, such as the city Parking Authority and the Parks, Recreation Grounds, and Facilities Authority, also use the room for meetings.

The room already has a banner displaying the Pledge of Allegiance, which includes the phrase “One nation, under God,” on its wall.

Councilman Bill May questioned the reasoning behind the nonprofit group’s initiative to display the motto.

“What is the purpose behind this?” he asked. “Researching the issue, and the group that is behind that, I believe their purpose is to push religion into the public forum.”

May argued there are more appropriate ways to accomplish the task of promoting patriotism.

“I think if we’re doing it in the guise that the group behind this is saying — that it’s for patriotism — I think we would be better served putting a portrait of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr.”

Councilman Cheri Scott supported the idea of displaying the motto.

“It’s what the country was founded on,” she said.

May, who never stated which way he would vote on the issue, argued there are more appropriate places for references to God.

“We have dozens and dozens of beautiful churches in Butler and the surrounding area,” he said. “If you are a religious person, you have those forums to go to. If you want to worship your God in this meeting, you can sit there quietly and worship God.”

Councilman Kathy Kline said after the meeting she agreed with May’s arguments, adding council has to look at the issue on behalf of all the city residents, not just their personal views.

“Bill (May) said it very eloquently,” she said. “I have to agree there is a hidden agenda (with the nonprofit).”

Kline did not say whether she would vote for or against the motion.

Councilman Richard Schontz Jr. said after the meeting that he also is still considering the motion, but is leaning toward supporting it.

“I’m still thinking it over,” he said. “I don’t really have a problem with it. It’s our country’s motto, and we should obviously support our country.”

The county and the city are not the first municipalities to consider the initiative, as the movement dates back more than a decade.

More than 330 counties and municipalities across the country that have adopted a similar resolution.

Council members will have until Thursday’s 7 p.m. meeting to mull over their stance on the issue. Three of the five members must support the motion for it to pass.