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City staff present proposed increases to tow fees and expand tow-radius in workshop
Summary
Portland staff outlined proposed increases to municipal tow fees and a potential expansion of the permitted tow radius from 5 to 7 miles; the item was presented as a workshop and will return for a formal vote at a later meeting.
Tony Orkus, Parking Division Director, briefed the committee on a workshop proposing changes to the city’s tow-fee schedule and tow-radius rule. Orkus said the changes respond to feedback from tow operators that current rates have become less competitive with peer cities and that expanding the pool of eligible tow operators would improve response capacity.
Orkus summarized the proposed changes in the memo: increase the standard non-accident tow from $135 to $150, the accident tow from $150 to $175, storage from $40 to $50, and the special-equipment per-unit rate from $1.50 to $1.65. The proposed maximum radius for tow operations would expand from five miles to seven miles to allow additional tow operators with lots just outside the current limit to qualify.
Council members raised timing questions and equity concerns. One councilor said she preferred keeping the radius at five miles because extra distance can meaningfully increase burdens on vehicle owners; another said expanding the radius could increase market competition and help manage peak demands. Orkus said the proposed table in the memo lists only the items proposed for change and that staff will return with the item for a vote at the next meeting after additional public notice.
No vote was taken; staff will return with a formal ordinance or order for consideration at a future meeting.
