In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing billboard relocation program aimed at reducing the visual blight of billboards in unincorporated areas of the county. Initiated in 2006, the program has evolved through various phases, including the adoption of a relocation ordinance in 2008, which was amended in 2010. This ordinance allows for the establishment of new billboards only if they are part of a relocation agreement.

The county's planning department conducted an inventory of existing billboards, confirming that all were legal, nonconforming structures, which limited the county's ability to remove them without compensation. Financial constraints made it infeasible to buy out the 80-plus billboards, leading to the current relocation strategy. The county has contracted with TR Advisors since 2013 to assist in negotiating these agreements, with a fee structure that allocates 35% of the revenue to the consultant and 65% to the county, capped at $900,000.

The goal of the program is to achieve a 50% reduction in billboards, and recent developments indicate that this target is being met. Currently, 38 billboards have been removed, and with the approval of a new billboard, an additional ten are expected to be taken down. The county has generated $563,223 in net revenue from the existing billboards, with projections estimating annual revenues of $140,000 to $192,000.

The funds generated from the billboard program are earmarked for community projects, with plans to implement a wayfinding program and other community enhancements. The revenue must be spent in the communities from which the billboards were removed, ensuring that local residents benefit directly from the program.

During the meeting, officials also addressed concerns regarding the types of advertisements that could appear on the billboards, particularly regarding alcohol and tobacco products. While existing ordinances restrict advertising near sensitive areas, the county's ability to regulate content on private billboards is limited due to free speech considerations.

Overall, the billboard relocation program represents a significant effort by the county to address community concerns about visual blight while generating revenue for local projects. The ongoing collaboration with TR Advisors and the commitment to community engagement are key components of this initiative.