Normal increases towing fees to $85 (from 2005)

[Tow411]

This topic was created back in July of 2005. Wondering what the rates are today.

 

NORMAL -- You'll have to dig deeper into your pockets if your vehicle gets towed in Normal.
The City Council voted Monday to raise the towing fee from $50 to $85 for "nonvoluntary" tows from public or private property. In addition, there will be a $25 fee if a dolly is needed to move a four-wheel-drive vehicle, a $10 processing fee and an increase in storage fees from $5 per day to $12 per day.

However, if you're a little short on cash, towing companies now will accept a debit or credit card.

The council originally considered the changes July 5 at the prompting of Joe's Towing, the company doing most of the towing in Normal.

The fees had been the same for about 10 years.

State and federal laws allow local governments to regulate the towing companies, including their rates.

The council decided to postpone a decision until Monday's meeting to give town staff members a chance to review suggested changes made by council members.

Originally, the new code would have required towing companies to return a vehicle to the owner at least 15 minutes after the owner paid the fees.

However, some council members thought that was too quick of a turnaround, especially because drivers have to go to Joe's office in Bloomington to do the paperwork and then pick up their vehicle at a storage lot in Normal.

That time limit has been changed to 30 minutes, and the towing service is required to document the time they are paid for their services and the time the vehicle is returned to the owner.

The new ordinance also gives vehicle owners 30 days to ask for a post-tow hearing. Originally, owners were given only five working days to appeal.

The first change suggested 30 working days.

However, Bruce Pedigo, vice president of operations for Joe's Towing, said that would amount to 45 days between the tow and the hearing and could be a problem for month-end book work.

The July 5 ordinance also included a phrase that called on towing company workers to treat customers with courtesy and respect. Pedigo suggested that was inappropriate and pinpointed his company.

While the language was removed, council members Jeff Fritzen, Jason Chambers and Cheryl Gaines said they had received e-mails from residents who maintain they were treated rudely by workers at Joe's.

Fritzen suggested the town stay on top of complaints and if there continues to be problems, it should be addressed.

"It's a poor reflection on our community and our town," he said.

Pedigo said Joe's Towing recently installed cameras and audio recording equipment to document workers comments.
 

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