During their regular meeting Tuesday, the Amarillo City Council agreed to explore the possibility of installing a Ten Commandments monument at the new city hall building. The idea, championed by Mayor Cole Stanley, received broad support from the council, though some members expressed a desire to explore the legal implications before moving forward.
According to Mayor Stanley, the proposed monument would be a gift from the council members themselves, with each council member being asked to contribute financially to its creation. "There is no sales tax dollars, there is no property tax dollars, there is no cost to the city," said Stanley, emphasizing that the funds for the monument would come solely from the council members' pockets.
The Mayor framed the Ten Commandments as an important historical document, rather than merely a religious artifact, highlighting the moral and ethical values they represent. "It goes to our core values," Stanley said. "It’s the bedrock of the way we live in a civil society. We all look at this as we put standards and values out as a community, it’s not a controversial item…it honors the foundation and the bedrock of what our country is built on."
If the council moves forward with the proposal, Stanley suggested that a mockup of the monument could be presented by December, allowing the council to review the design, finalize the cost, and establish a timeline for installation. The monument would be placed outside the new city hall building, once completed.
Legal Considerations:
While the majority of the council expressed support for the idea, Councilmember Les Simpson raised concerns about potential legal challenges, given the ongoing national debates over religious displays on public property. He recommended that the council consult with the First Liberty Institute, a nonprofit organization that defends religious freedoms and has been involved in numerous monument-related legal cases across the country.
Simpson emphasized that the First Liberty Institute could provide guidance to ensure the monument’s installation would be legally sound and avoid any potential lawsuits that could financially burden the city. "They have defended many monument cases, similar to this, where people were looking at taking monuments down or removing them," Simpson said. "They have said, at no cost, they would come here and be able to perhaps answer any questions and give more specific guidance."
Councilmember Tom Scherlen expressed his full support for the idea, saying, "I’m 100% behind it," while Councilmember Don Tipps also voiced his approval, stating, "I think it’s a good idea. It’s the basis of where our laws were found from, so I think it’s a good representation."
The city’s outside counsel, George Hyde, addressed concerns about the legality of placing a Ten Commandments monument at a government building, pointing to a 2005 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that upheld the display of a Ten Commandments monument at the Texas State Capitol. Hyde suggested that Amarillo could follow similar guidelines in ensuring that the monument complies with legal precedents. "If we are mirroring the circumstances that the Texas Capitol experienced, which I understand is your intent, then it would be consistent with U.S. Supreme Court precedent," Hyde said.
Due Diligence and Legal Precautions:
Despite the strong support for the monument, the council members emphasized the importance of thorough legal vetting before any further action is taken. "Our job is not to get the city in trouble," said Tipps. "So, we’ll do it the right way. We’re going to make sure we cross the T’s and dot the I’s before it happens."
The council members also agreed that consulting with the First Liberty Institute would be a prudent step in ensuring that the installation process adheres to legal standards, and to mitigate any risk of future legal challenges. Hyde echoed Simpson's thoughts, underscoring the importance of due diligence.
The discussion around the Ten Commandments monument is part of ongoing conversations in Amarillo about its civic identity and the role of public displays of faith. As the city moves forward with planning for the new city hall, the proposed monument has sparked debate, but it also reflects the values that some members of the community feel are essential to Amarillo’s character.
With a plan for further legal consultation in the works, it remains to be seen when and how the monument may be installed. However, the council has made clear its intention to move forward cautiously and responsibly, ensuring that any legal concerns are addressed before any permanent display is made.
