BELVIDERE (WIFR) -- The City of Murals is getting a makeover, and the funding of the restoration has been a major point of contention.

City council voted Monday 7 to 3 to spend $42,500 in tax increment financing district funds to spruce up the downtown murals.

Initially, $90,000 was slated for the restoration, but that number was halved when a private bidder came forward.

Opponents of the project say taxpayers don't want to spend money on murals when the local economy still hasn't fully recovered. Others say the City of Murals has an obligation to live up to its name - and not let the works of art fade away. Some even argue the murals have helped the downtown area attract businesses.

TIF funds have to be spent by the end of April, 2013.

Moving forward, aldermen hope to set up a trust fund for the murals, so they can be kept up on a more regular basis.