By Juliana A. Torres
Staff Writer

The phrase “In God We Trust,” which sparked controversy in Kissimmee last year when commissioners wanted to add it to the city logo, is back under consideration, this time as the possible city motto.

Commissioner Jerry Gemskie last month proposed adopting the motto, prompting further discussion because doing so would require a city charter change. The proposal comes at a time when commissioners are considering several minor changes to the charter, which outlines how the city is run.

Despite the commissioners’ eventual unanimous vote at their May 4 meeting supporting sending the motto to voters, they raised some concerns for costs and how the motto could affect potential branding of the city.

“I think I don’t have an issue with sending something to the people if they wanted to have the phrase ‘In God We Trust’ in our charter,” Commissioner Cheryl Grieb said. “However, my concern is that (if) it becomes the official motto, then we start talking about it going on the logo and the letterhead and all these other things, (and) we get back to the expense involved with that.”

Last May, Commissioner Art Otero proposed adding the phrase – the official national motto first found on U.S. currency in 1864 – to Kissimmee’s logo. The proposal caused controversy not only because some residents said the phrase had too much religious connotation, but also because of the potential costs involved in changing the logo.

Last year’s debate around “In God We Trust” was amplified by a previous logo-change outcry in 2007, when Grieb proposed upgrading the city logo, replacing the hand-drawn image featuring a Brahman bull with a more contemporary and polished look. Though upfront cost estimates for the changeover came to less than $1,000, staff initially had estimated spending of $288,000 before the commission agreed the city could transition to the new logo. In that way, city stationery, trash cans and manhole covers featuring the logo could be replaced as needed rather than immediately, negating some costs.

The current proposal to include the motto in the charter would not require a change of logo. Commissioners agreed to schedule two public hearings on the issue, during which the public could comment. The commissioners must pass a proposed charter amendment with a 4-1 vote before it can go to city residents as a referendum.

“From my perspective, people are going to have an opportunity to vote,” Mayor Jim Swan said. “Let them decide what they want.”

Grieb said she wondered whether establishing a city motto would conflict with any promotional phrases the city might want to adopt in branding efforts currently being planned. City Attorney Don Smallwood said that would not be an issue.

“If you check state statute, we have a state seal, we got a state motto, we got a state tree and a state song,” he said. “When you do the branding, we can call that the city’s nickname; we can come up with something fancy. It does not limit you doing what you want to do right now.”

Florida statute defines “In God We Trust” as the state motto.

Any change to the charter, even ones that amount to spelling and grammar corrections, must be approved by referendum with a simple majority vote. The proposed changes under consideration will be on the Aug. 24 ballot.

Aside from a proposal that would change how Kissimmee Utility Authority board members are appointed, commissioners May 4 agreed to another change relating to the utility.

Currently, the charter states that KUA board members can serve two consecutive terms before they must take a break from service. The language has been interpreted to mean members must wait a full term before becoming eligible for reappointment.

Commissioners settled on a one-year forced absence from the board after consecutive terms, at Gemskie’s suggestion. Gemskie’s wife, Nancy Gemskie, is the current chairwoman of the KUA board.

For a complete list of proposed Kissimmee charter changes, including those approved May 4, go to http://bit.ly/9DVDgN.