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Towing‑contract controversy prompts council to pause awarding new contracts
Summary
Business owners and tow operators protested an ordinance amendment and application handling that would expand allowable tow‑lot radius; after extended public comment the council tabled action on towing contracts pending legal review and additional documentation.
Egg Harbor City councilors on Dec. 18 paused action on changes to towing contracts and related ordinance language after residents and towing business owners raised concerns about notification, qualifications and an ordinance change that expanded allowable tow‑lot storage radius.
Patrick Kennedy, an owner and longtime local business figure, said the Oct. 1 application deadline had been met by local operators and that an ordinance change on Oct. 16 widening the storage radius to five miles opened the process to out‑of‑town companies. "You don't hire people in your town just because they say they can do the job. You hire them for their qualifications," Kennedy said, criticizing what he described as an unfair process that could disadvantage longtime local vendors.
Chief Ivan and other officials explained the reasoning for adjusting geographic limits: town leaders said they reduced an earlier proposed 10‑mile consideration to a five‑mile radius to find additional qualified vendors given the prospect that existing towers might retire. Multiple speakers called for legal review and clearer notice procedures. Council moved to table awarding new towing contracts and seek a legal opinion, and said current providers would be extended month‑to‑month if awards cannot be completed by Jan. 1.
Why it matters: The towing rotation affects response times, liability exposure, and local business opportunities. Owners asserted longstanding local arrangements and alleged that altered ordinance language and late changes undermined the fairness of the process.
What’s next: Council directed staff to obtain legal guidance and to pause any contract awards until the issues (notification, application timing, and compliance with ordinance requirements for primary and overflow storage locations) are resolved. The towing items were tabled for further review.
