Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Consumer Protection topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents complain of high towing and impound fees; council revisits idea of city impound lot
Summary
A resident described steep increases in towing and storage fees and called for city oversight; a council member said the council has discussed creating a municipal impound lot or rotating contract to control costs.
A resident told Montgomery City Council members that towing and impound fees have risen dramatically and urged the city to investigate tow-company practices and consider establishing a municipal impound lot.
The resident (identified in the transcript as Mr. Ford) said an initial tow commonly costs about $60'$65 but described cases where storage and other fees had escalated to figures he said reached $3,000 or more, effectively preventing owners from reclaiming vehicles. He said some vehicles are later sold at auction after liens are taken. The resident asked whether towing companies notify vehicle owners or lienholders; he said he did not see a contract governing tow-company practices and urged city review.
A council member said the council has been discussing a city-controlled impound lot for the last three years as a way to rotate contractors, ensure lot-size and insurance requirements, and allow the city to order releases when mistakes are made. The council member said having a municipal impound lot would allow the city to control the process in ways similar to county practice. The comments came during the meeting's communications/public-comment segment; no ordinance or contractual change was adopted at the session.
