Committee asks city attorney to update towing and booting rules; sets new fee direction

City staff and private tow operators told the General Policy Committee on Wednesday that Gainesville’s trespass‑towing and vehicle immobilization rules need updating to reflect current costs and to reduce cross‑jurisdiction confusion. The committee directed the city attorney to draft ordinance revisions and approved fee guidance that aligns base towing charges with peer‑city practice while requiring staff to return proposed ordinance language and an updated fee schedule for formal adoption.

Major Jamie Kernick, who oversees towing and immobilization for the Gainesville Police Department, told commissioners the current city tow fees have not been revised in many years and create confusion where city and county boundaries meet. Kernick recommended aligning the city schedules with nearby Alachua County to reduce disputes when a vehicle’s location straddles different…