Sedan council adopts Environmental Code changes setting towing cap, storage fee

The Sedan City Council on Sept. 17 adopted Ordinance No. 948, updating the city’s Environmental Code to set maximum towing and vehicle-storage fees.

Chief Kirk Richardson told the council he had reviewed the proposed corrections to the code with the city attorney and consulted local towing companies about costs. Richardson said towing large rigs could "be up to $1,000.00" depending on circumstances and recommended a cap at that level, and suggested a daily storage rate of up to $100.00. Janice Fine moved to approve the ordinance with those limits and Kathy Miller seconded; the motion carried.

The ordinance was presented after Richardson relayed towing-company concern about recovering the expense of removing large vehicles. The minutes do not list individual roll-call votes for the ordinance beyond noting the motion passed.

The council reviewed public-safety and logistical implications of towing and storage costs but the minutes do not record requests for amendments or an implementation timeline. The updated Environmental Code becomes the city's stated standard for towing and storage charges; the council did not specify an effective date in the minutes.

Next steps noted in the meeting record: staff will incorporate the ordinance language into the city code and coordinate with towing vendors on the new fee structure.