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Bloomington council updates tow ordinances after heated debate over $25 fee
Summary
The council adopted parallel updates to city towing rules covering police‑initiated and nonconsensual tows, including a new $25 administrative fee for towing companies that drew extended public testimony and a split among council members before passing as amended.
Bloomington Common Council on Dec. 17 adopted amendments to two city ordinances that raise allowable towing and storage charges and add licensing and operational requirements for towing companies, after more than two hours of debate and public testimony from local tow operators.
The changes affect Title 15 (city‑initiated tows) and Chapter 4.32 (nonconsensual towing). Assistant City Attorney Adina Casameinan and Economic & Sustainable Development staff said the updates are intended to bring local caps into line with market costs and to add consumer protections such as clearer signage and business‑hours requirements.
The meeting turned contentious when Councilmember Ralph introduced a late amendment to allow towing companies to charge a $25 administrative fee on top of the city’s $25 administrative charge. That amendment drew sustained…
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