Tow Contract Rejected in Wichita
The Wichita City Council rejected a tow contract that would grant a 4% increase to nine tow companies that provide emergency towing services for the Wichita Police Dept and remove abandoned vehicles. The contract is set to expire June 1.
Former City Council member Greg Ferris, representing the tow companies, said the companies are facing higher costs for fuel and other items and can’t go any lower than the fees negotiated in the contract. Some council members argued price gouging or that the increase would be a financial burden for citizens.
Under the contract, the fees would continue increasing by 4% annually for four years. One council member who supported the contract, said the city should approve rate increases to help small businesses. The council member challenged the Mayor’s claim that the rate increases could result in residents losing their jobs or homes. “The average increase per incident would probably be $50 for the individual, so I’m doubtful that that would put someone in the position of losing their home,” said the councilman. “I’m also cognizant of the fact that these occurrences happen rarely. Somebody doesn’t get their car impounded by the police on a frequent basis. So the fact of jeopardizing our community members’ jobs or homes is probably limited.”
More than 1,700 vehicles were towed under the city’s contract last year. More than 600 of those were sold at auction. https://www.kfdi.com/
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