"Flags are something that happen over time,” he added. “People like them because they like them."

Councilor Ray Kopczynski, who put up $100 of his own money as a prize for the contest, took a more supportive tone.

"I'm on record for saying we'll pay $100 for the winner," he said, "and the longer you look at these, the more representative of our community they become. I have no problem picking one of these. It will, to Rich's point, grow on us."

Mayor Sharon Konopa praised the educational element of the contest.

"We had a great education on what a proper flag design contains," she said.

"Of course, if we pick a flag tonight, it can always be changed later."

The council next discussed their favorite elements of each design.

"You have the highway on this one," remarked Councilor Floyd Collins.

"That's the river. Isn't that the river, the blue? There are two rivers," replied Konopa.

City Manager Wes Hare made sure to remind the council, "We have actually invested a lot of time into this. My recommendation is to just do it."