City towing rates could increase if employees at Watson's Towing get their way.
Gainesville city commissioners decided Monday night to discuss a request made by Celeste Forron, owner of Watson's, to raise towing rates. The discussion will be Dec. 10.
"I would just like a reasonable amount to cover the cost of fuel, which is not going down, and the cost of insurance, which is definitely not going down," Forron said.
Forron said costs have also increased due to recent city ordinances requiring towing companies to take pictures of illegally parked cars and accept credit and debit cards.
At the meeting, Gainesville Police Department Lt. Pete Backhaus said there are still issues with towing companies not following ordinances, such as charging extra money to use a debit card.
Forron denied it.
"I'm not sure who's charging all the ,2 for debit cards, but it's not us," she said.
She attended the meeting with Ryan Williams, Watson's manager, and her husband Greg Forron, Watson's other owner.
None said they had an exact figure in mind for the rate increase.
"I'm looking for anything," Celeste Forron said. "Hopefully it's more than a dollar."
The current ,76 rate has been in place for the last four years. At that time, the city based its rate off Tallahassee's fees, which Celeste Forron said currently charges ,88.
The commission almost decided not to discuss raising rates because the year is ending soon, though Celeste Forron said she had submitted the request by the Sept. 28 deadline.
To bring up the request before the end of the year, the Public Safety Committee must hold a special meeting to have a resolution ready for the Dec. 10 commission meeting.
"I think we at least owe it to them to have this conversation in committee and hash it out," said Commissioner Scherwin Henry, a member of the committee.
The commission also accepted a "Customer Bill of Rights" for towing companies Monday night.
The bill guarantees customers the right to pay with cash, debit or credit card. They also have the right to get a detailed receipt and retrieve items from their cars before paying.
