CITY COUNCIL Panel recommends increase in towing fees

The committee chairman cited increased fuel prices and employee costs.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Companies that tow cars for city police are ready to hook a rate increase.
City council's safety committee is recommending a $15 per tow increase in what the companies can charge.
The new fee would be $55 per tow, $65 if a flatbed truck is needed. The fee now is $40 for any tow.
Storage charges of $5 per day wouldn't change.
Drivers pay the charges when police need vehicles to be hauled away after accidents, when drivers are arrested or illegally parked and must be moved. Private citizens needing a tow that doesn't involve police can call any towing company and pay whatever that company charges.
The committee also is recommending that the full city council renew the city's contract with Ludt's Auto & amp; Truck Towing and Bob O's Towing. The companies handle city calls on alternate days.
Two-year contracts with the companies expired in August. The two companies have been working under terms of the old contact.
The police department is satisfied with each company, said Detective William Blanchard, police department fiscal officer.
There is no need to seek requests for proposals from other towing companies if police are satisfied, said Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st, committee chairman,
Can't afford it
Bob O'Malley of Bob O's said he couldn't afford to keep working for $40 per tow. He suggested $65 to $70 per tow.
Gillam said the recommended rate splits the difference.
Increased fuel prices and employees costs justify the recommended increase, Gillam said. The rate still keeps in mind the limited budgets of residents, who sometimes struggle to pay the fees and get their cars back, he said.
The $40 rate was on the low end of what other police departments in the area let their towing companies charge, Blanchard said.
rgsmith@vindy.com