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Rosenberg council signals support for higher heavy-tow rates and new winch/dolly fee
Summary
After public comment from local tow operators, the council directed staff to draft ordinance language raising heavy-duty mileage to $8/mile, increasing response windows (heavy-duty to ~50 minutes, light-duty to 25), and adding a $100 winch/dolly fee per service for police-rotated tows. Staff will return with formal language for ratification.
Mayor Benton opened a multi-hour discussion on proposed changes to the city's schedule of fees for light- and heavy-duty towing services, telling operators and officers the current schedule dates to 2015 and that staff provided a 2026 fee study for council review. Chief White reviewed the existing structure (examples: $3.50/mile after 5 miles, $50 winch fee, heavy trucks billed by the hour) and asked for council direction.
Tow operators urged higher rates and longer response times, citing rising insurance and equipment costs. Freddy Altamorano told the council: "Insurance has almost tripled for us." Austin Rodriguez, who said his business had insured three trucks for $20,000 in 2020 and was quoted $65,000 in 2025, urged extending the light-duty response window to 25 minutes, saying, "That 25 minutes would be very, very good." Sergeant Stroud and Chief White described the city's current rotation and emphasized the need for clear definitions and documentation if additional fees are allowed.
After hearing operators and staff, council members signaled consensus directions. Mayor Benton summarized the working decisions: set heavy-duty mileage at $8 per mile (staff had proposed $5; current rate is $3.50), increase the heavy-duty response allowance to roughly 50 minutes (several members suggested 50–60 minutes), increase light-duty response time from 20 to 25 minutes, and adopt a $100 winch/dolly fee per service. Council repeatedly emphasized transparency and recordkeeping; Sergeant Stroud recommended officers document the reason for a dolly or winch charge to reduce disputes.
The council did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting. Instead, members directed staff to draft the ordinance language, run it by the city attorney, and return for formal ratification at a future meeting. Mayor Benton warned staff that public complaints could require revisiting the plan and urged clear invoice descriptions and photographic documentation when extra fees are charged.
