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Towing operator tells Travis County court rates need review after eight years
Summary
A representative of Rocha's Towing urged the commissioners court to work with the Sheriff’s Office to review nonconsent towing rates, saying rates set in late 2018 have not been updated despite rising fuel, labor and equipment costs.
Jaime Rocha, representing Rocha's Towing and speaking on behalf of operators on the Travis County towing rotation, told the court in the early public comment period that the county’s nonconsent towing rates have not been reviewed since they were approved in December 2018 and initiated in early 2019. Rocha said many rotation vendors are minority‑owned and that rising CPI, diesel, labor and equipment costs make the current rates unsustainable.
"We have not had an increase in the past 8 years," Rocha said, asking that the county coordinate with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office to review towing rates. He told the court many tow operators are reluctant to speak publicly and that he was there to create awareness and urge action.
Rocha said these tows are emergency accident tows (not private property tows) and that the cost is typically covered by insurance; his request was that the county and Sheriff’s Office review whether the rotation and rate structure reflect current costs. There was no immediate action by the court on towing rates; the speaker's comments were entered into the public record during early public comment.
