Jonesboro committee forwards ordinance to raise towing fees to full City Council

The Public Safety Council Committee of the City of Jonesboro voted at its meeting to forward Ordinance 25,040 to the full City Council, a proposal that would raise several city-regulated towing fees.

Unidentified Speaker, presiding, introduced the ordinance and recited its language, saying, “Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas,” and stating that submitted data show the rates adopted in 2017 "are not in conformity with current economic standards." The measure would amend chapter 66-83 and proposes specific fee changes including increasing the after-hours release fee from $30 to $75, raising the citywide base response rate from $125 to $225, increasing secondary towing from $75 to $150, and changing per loaded mile outside city limits from $2 to $5. The text also lists a $100 winch fee, $150 per-hour standby charges, and daily storage fees of $50 (and $100 per day for electric vehicles).

A committee member moved to forward the ordinance to the full council and another seconded the motion. The committee recorded no questions from members, no comments from administration, and no public comment before the presiding speaker stated that the item passed and would go to the full City Council for consideration.

Earlier in the meeting, the committee approved minutes from its previous meeting on Oct. 21; the presiding speaker noted four members were present at this session and that a quorum existed. With no additional pending items or public comments, the committee adjourned.

Next steps: Ordinance 25,040 will be placed on the full City Council agenda for further consideration; the committee record does not specify a hearing or council date.