ROUND ROCK, Texas — While billboards can serve as a form of citywide advertisement, to some, they might be nothing more than an eyesore.
According to KVUE's media partners at the Austin American-Statesman, a Round Rock community coalition is receiving pushback from the City after asking to build 12 new electronic billboards on Interstate 35 and Texas 45.
Keep Round Rock Safe believes the billboards will offer multiple benefits to the City including the support of local businesses, the ability to spread information on Amber Alerts and the increase of $225 million total revenue to area organizations.
"It is surprising and disappointing that the City is not interested in helping the small business community prosper and is depriving police and emergency personnel from an extremely effective and free tool to use," Keep Round Rock Safe spokesperson Craig Holmes told the Statesman.
Keep Round Rock Safe has collected approximately 4,000 signatures on a petition to change current city regulations.
A City spokesperson said those regulations work to "protect and enhance the physical appearance of the community in a lawful manner by providing standards...and satisfying the community's desire for signs that are attractive."
As Keep Round Rock Safe continues to fight for the billboards, petition signatures will have to be verified with at least 5% of registered voters. Only then can the matter be included on the upcoming May ballot.
To learn more, read the Statesman's full report.