Eagle Pass council approves first reading to raise towing and records fees, leaves recovery charges to industry discretion

Eagle Pass — The Eagle Pass City Council on Oct. 15 approved on first reading an ordinance to amend Chapter 28 of the city code to update business license requirements and maximum rates for records and towing services, after hearing that the current $65 per tow makes it difficult for wreck‑response businesses to operate.

City staff and the police captain told the council that parts of Chapter 28 dated to 2005 and no longer reflect the costs tow companies face. “At the current, city ordinance rate at $65 a tow, it's merely impossible to run a business,” a staff presenter said during the meeting.

The draft ordinance proposes several changes and leaves some fee amounts to city discretion. Staff said the city had discussed a $500 business license recommendation with the assistant city manager and that record/towing maximums should be raised to…