GRAND FORKS (AP) - Grand Forks officials are mulling the purchase of decorative lighting to brighten up the city during winter.

But some on the City Council are balking at the $205,200 price tag.

The general theme of the lighting project would be snowflakes, which would be generic enough to stay up all winter instead of going down after Christmas.

Meredith Richards, a city community development officer, said the aim is to focus money on a few displays that have a "wow factor."

The city also would encourage home and business owners to put up their own displays with a contest.

Downtown would the bulk of the money to augment the snowflakes-theme displays already there. One railroad overpass would get a lighted animated train display. The display's would include energy-efficient lighting.

"This would be another reason to visit Grand Forks in the winter," council member Curt Kreun said.

Kreun said the lighting could attract more visitors to the city, which would mean additional sales tax revenue.

Council member Terry Bjerke said he would vote against the project. Bjerke said he'd rather see the money go toward reducing property taxes.

The money would come from a portion of sales taxes set aside for beautification. The city still has $215,000 left over from last year in the fund.

In the past, the city has used the fund to install a new welcome sign on Gateway Drive and put a fresh coat of paint on the fences blocking the junkyards from public view.