Officials to consider ‘In God’ on Tuesday

The Costa Mesa City Council will consider adding the motto “In God We Trust” to the Council Chambers at its Tuesday meeting.

During a council study session earlier this year, Councilwoman Wendy Leece asked the council to adopt the slogan to, in her words, “encourage patriotism.”

Fourteen cities in Orange County have placed the “In God We Trust” motto in their city council chambers.

They are Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Seal Beach, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster and Yorba Linda.

The cost of adding the four 3-inch-tall words to the wall behind the Costa Mesa dais would range from $677 to $851, according to a city staff report on the issue.

Leece has committed to raising the funds through private donations.

— Brianna Bailey