The Milton City Council unanimously approved a new city seal which has replaced the controversial Confederate Battle flag with the First National Flag of the Confederacy, also know as the Stars and Bars flag during this week’s regular city council meeting.
Following Tuesday night, City Manager Brian Watkins said he would soon meet with staff to discuss how to implement the seal changes.
Following the tragic events in Charleston, South Carolina in June of last year in which nine individuals were fatally shot while attending a church function by alleged gunman Dylann Roof, the Confederate Battle flag began to be described as an emblem of hate. Roof, who is currently facing the death penalty, previously appeared in photos waving and displaying the Confederate flag.
Although the flag has a history of being center of controversy, the South Carolina incident triggered the debate of whether municipalities or governing bodies should have the flag on display. Like many municipalities, Milton came under scrutiny with the representation of the flag on the city seal and at the Heritage Plaza.
After months of discussing and hearing both sides of whether the city should keep the flag or remove it, the council voted to make the change late last year in an unanimous vote. The flag at the plaza has since been changed.
Watkins previously stated the modification would not pose a significant impact on the city budget.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton: Council approve updated City Seal