DeKalb committee defers decision on proposed towing, impound fee increases for 30 days
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Summary
County staff proposed raising impound and daily storage fees to align with metro-area rates; commissioners expressed concern about economic conditions and impact on residents and asked staff to return with data in 30 days. The item was deferred.
DeKalb County commissioners deferred a proposed amendment to the county's multi-year towing and wrecker services contract for 30 days after debating proposed increases to impound and daily storage fees.
County staff told the IRPS Committee that DeKalb County’s current impound and storage fees had not kept pace with metro-area rates. The department presented a survey of municipal towing fees and proposed raising the county’s impound fee and daily storage charge so the county and contracted wrecker companies would be closer to regional levels.
A county representative described the current county arrangement and revenue share: commissioners were told the county’s current impound fee is $125 and that DeKalb County receives $18 of that amount; staff proposed increasing the impound fee to $175, which would raise the county’s share to $25 (an $8 increase to the county). The presentation also included a proposed increase in daily storage from $15 per day to $30 per day.
Several commissioners said they were sympathetic to the need to keep vendor contracts viable but raised concerns about increasing costs for residents amid a weakening economy. Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson said, “I have a problem with it being now, right now… I just can't go with that right now,” and pressed staff for alternatives. Other commissioners proposed compromises including a smaller immediate increase, a step-up phased approach (part now, part on Jan. 1), or temporarily holding off until contract renewal.
Police/contract staff said the towing vendors remain responsive to county calls but that last year the state increased maximum towing rates, leaving DeKalb behind regional norms. Staff said the county has not raised its fees in roughly 10 years and that rising fuel, labor and maintenance costs have squeezed vendor margins.
After extended discussion about the distribution of impacts (accident-related tows vs. abandoned vehicles, who ultimately pays, and whether insurance typically covers towing), Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson moved to defer the item for 30 days so county staff could return with data. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Commissioners asked for detailed information including: the number of tows by type (accident vs. abandoned vs. criminal), the average length of time vehicles remain in storage, revenue estimates at alternative fee levels, the vendor contract expiration and renewal schedule, and any available breakdown of how many tows involve county residents versus out-of-county drivers.
County staff agreed to supply the requested data within 30 days to inform whether a fee adjustment during the current contract or as part of a contract renewal would be appropriate.
