El Mirage to replace two failing digital park billboards with higher‑resolution panels; contract approved

The El Mirage Common Council on May 6 approved a one‑time purchase to replace two outdated digital billboard displays at Gateway Park and Bill Gentry Park. The contract will be with Precise Sign Company, LLC using an existing cooperative contract (IAGPA contract) and the approved purchase amount is not to exceed the budgeted FY2025 amount of $260,000.

City staff said the existing cabinets were different manufacturers and used older 19–20 millimeter LED panels; one of the displays shows visible color defects and blocks that make text hard to read. Staff recommended upgrading both signs to Daktronics 8 millimeter displays for improved clarity, standardizing the cabinets and software, and adding a branded wrap and logo panel to the Gateway Park sign so it matches the Bill Gentry installation.

A staff review committee conducted on‑site demonstrations and virtual software reviews and recommended Daktronics hardware. The recommended vendor, Precise Sign Company, submitted a quote that the committee found within budget and included a 10‑year warranty and a parts package. Precise Sign Co. said the panels and parts are widely used (the company cited stadium and institutional customers) and that the Daktronics warranty provides long‑term support.

Council approved the purchase unanimously. Staff estimated the installation would take approximately eight weeks once the purchase order and site work proceed. The new system will also be capable of displaying time/weather and is compatible with the federal IPAWS system for emergency alerts.

Implementation notes: staff will schedule installation, order parts, and provide a timeline; the vendor begins background site work and surveys following purchase order authorization.