Voters to decide on digital billboards, fire standards From the cover
The discussion
Proposition A
The proposition was placed on the ballot after a petition effort led by the Round Rock Professional Firefighters Association. The firefighters association said the signs could serve as more than an advertisement by display- ing emergency messages to drivers, warning of crashes, lane closures, severe weather or other urgent conditions along busy highways. “Is this going to stop accidents? We can’t say it won’t,” Clifton said. “But what it can do is alert drivers to slow down, move to the side of the road and create that extra filter for us.” City officials question how that system would work in practice. City Manager Brooks Bennett said Round Rock already invests in equipment and procedures designed to protect first responders during highway incidents. “We definitely take the safety of both police and fire very seriously, especially when they’re on our highways,” Bennett said, noting the city uses specialized vehicles that shield crews at crash scenes.
Bennett also said it is unclear whether emer- gency information could be transmitted quickly enough to privately operated billboards, adding the city relies on systems such as Warn Central Texas and other official emergency alert channels to communicate urgent information. The firefighters association explained that while the city charter allows for coordination between emergency messaging and private billboard companies, it is not mandatory. However, the companies have been receptive to cooperate, said Billy Colburn, former president of RRPFA. “There are companies who have already vested in our community and are more than willing to participate in order to keep our first responders safe,” Colburn said. The clashing perspectives show a broader divide over the intent and practicality of Proposition A. The firefighters association frames the measure as a public safety tool that could provide additional safeguards, while city leaders question whether the proposal is truly about safety or if it primarily benefits the billboard companies.
The proposed amendment under Proposition A would allow up to 12 new privately owned, operated and funded electronic message center billboards, each designed as double-sided digital signs, in designated highway corridors such as I-35 and SH 45. Under the proposal, companies seeking to install a billboard would first be required to obtain approval from the Texas Department of Transportation, which regulates commercial signage along state highways. The amendment states that electronic billboards would follow the location, size and spacing standards set by TxDOT, rather than additional city-specific rules. However, the city could charge fees for each billboard equal to the fee assessed by TxDOT. If voters reject the proposition, the current charter prohibition on billboards would remain in place.
Proposition A details
A maximum of 12 electronic billboards would be allowed. Billboard lighting must be shielded to prevent glare or interference with drivers and traffic signals. Signs cannot be located within 250 feet of public spaces, such as parks or recreation areas. Billboards must be at least 1,000 feet apart along the highway right of way. Billboards will only be allowed along I-35 and SH 45.
In their own words
“That’s the red tape to activate a TxDOT sign—the wreck is over by the time you get that activated. … Ours is instant.”
“We have the highest [Insurance Services Office] rating for homeowners insurance. The facts would be different if we weren’t safe or if we weren’t doing our job.” CRAIG MORGAN, ROUND ROCK MAYOR
BILLY COLBURN, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE ROUND ROCK PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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