They have been remarkably successful. For example, for tax purposes, billboards are assessed strictly according to their physical value of steel beams, wooden board, etc. But for purposes of condemnation, in which case a government would have to reimburse the company for the billboard, they're assessed according to market value — that is, how much they could earn in rents — a much larger sum.

Reagan alone contributed $62,549.50 to political causes in 2002, according to state contribution disclosure reports. That doesn't include personal contributions made by Reagan's principals or contributions made through lobbyists. The contributions are made across the board — Republicans, Democrats, third-party candidates. Some candidates get more, of course. Attorney General Mark Shurtleff received $5,000 almost every candidate in the running gets at least a few hundred.

Reagan company officers have also been a visible presence in the deliberations of the Salt Lake County Council, which is trying to decide between a "cap-and-bank" system (Reagan's preferred alternative) and an outright ban.

A ban would allow existing billboards but no others. If taken down, existing billboards could not be replaced. In a cap-and-bank system (sometimes referred to as "cap and replace,") existing billboards could be brought down and "banked" for a period of time, during which the sign company could apply to put the billboard in a different place.

Advocates of a cap-and-bank system say it's better than a ban, which they say would ensure that existing billboards stay there forever while a cap-and-bank system would at least get billboards out of less-desirable locations.

Councilman Russell Skousen, whose term is ending and who is not running for re-election, favors a cap-and-bank system.

"It's not a black-and-white issue like some would characterize it," he said. "Those who want a ban, it's an emotional reaction to the problem. It's not going to get rid of the signs. In the minds of some, I don't think we'll ever get rid of the perception that ban is good and cap and replace is bad."

Salt Lake City, West Valley City and Layton are among cities that have a cap-and-bank system.

In Salt Lake County's case, Skousen backs a proposal that would give the cap-and-bank system a certain period of time to prove itself, 18 months, after which it would revert to an outright ban unless the council extended it.

"If cap and replace doesn't work, then we just ban (billboards)," Skousen said. "This is not a do or die, all or nothing situation. We're trying to remedy the problem."

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E-mail: aedwards@desnews.com