STARKVILLE – Nearly a dozen residents packed into City Hall on Tuesday evening to voice their opinions for and against Starkville’s proposed towing ordinance during the board of aldermen’s regular monthly meeting.
Tuesday’s session marked the second public hearing on the proposal, and a third public hearing has been scheduled for the next board meeting Nov. 4.
The measure, aimed at curbing “predatory” towing practices within city limits, would set new regulations for all towing companies operating in Starkville. Under the proposal, towing fees would be capped at $250 with storage fees limited to $45 per day.
Companies would be required to maintain standard hours for vehicle release seven days a week and must be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The ordinance would also require visible signage in private parking lots where towing is enforced.
Six residents and business representatives spoke against the ordinance, citing cost concerns and overreach on private property rights.
Attorney Jeff Hosford, representing Apex Towing, asked aldermen to consider the expenses involved in running a towing business, including approximately $93,000 per year in insurance and the high cost of tow trucks, which he said range from $120,000 to $170,000 each.
Hosford said Apex maintains transparency by recording every tow with cameras and storing the data for at least 45 days. He said the company would be happy to dispute residents’ concerns about why their vehicles were towed.
He also challenged the proposed “on-the-hook” rate, which limits charges to 50% of the towing fee if a vehicle owner arrives, key in hand, before the vehicle leaves the lot.
“We think 50% is extremely tough,” Hosford said. “We would argue that 80% of the labor in towing a vehicle is done the minute you have to remove it from the property.”
Hosford noted other agencies, including the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Oktibbeha County allow up to $300 for standard tows, which he said better reflects the market rates. He also suggested raising storage fees to $50 or $60 per day and adjusting weekend and holiday release hours to run from noon to 5 p.m. so employees could attend church.
“Again, what you’re talking about is a service to the community that benefits the owners of the property, and that’s the way we present this,” he said. “It’s not something that’s predatory. … These property owners are asking Mr. Shurden to perform this service and that’s what he does. He does it at their request.”
Destiny Woodworth, a manager at Rosey Baby, said the ordinance interferes with private contracts between towing companies and apartment complexes.
Woodworth argued that lowering rates could push “reasonable companies” like Apex Towing out of Starkville, “leaving room for lower quality towing companies who may damage property or create unnecessary problems” to take their place.
Nikki Leonard, a local property owner, also spoke against the measure.
“On the surface this might sound beneficial to citizens but in reality, this kind of regulation undermines the very foundation of how private business operates and puts an unfair burden on local service providers who already follow strict rules and contacts,” she said.
Five residents spoke in favor of the ordinance.
Alexandra Williams, whose mother addressed aldermen at the first public hearing, shared her experience being towed from an apartment complex in August.
She said she was charged $300 for release and was told after-hours pickup would cost an additional $100. Williams said other residents were charged varying amounts between $250 and $310, showing a “lack of consistency.”
Ben Barrett, a Mississippi State University student, said while there needs to be a “rule of law” in the parking lot, standards for rates and release are “important.”
Julie Gibbons, mother of an MSU student, said her daughter’s car was towed from an apartment complex with insufficient signage.
“I don’t think it’s reasonable for somebody to have to read an email to know that they can’t park there,” she said. “If they’re going to get towed, there needs to be a reasonable sign … in the front of the parking lot.”
Board members clarify intent
Since the ordinance was first drafted in September, aldermen have made revisions, including lowering required sign sizes, capping after-hours release charges at the daily storage rate and exempting small properties with four or fewer units from sign requirements.
Ward 2 Alderwoman Sandra Sistrunk emphasized the ordinance would not prohibit towing.
“I just want to be very, very clear that this does not prohibit the towing of vehicles that are improperly parked,” Sistrunk said. “… The term predatory is the idea that the control has moved from the property owner to a towing company to determine when and if a car will be towed. … We’re not eliminating towing, and cars can be towed that are improperly parked, but with a process and with a clear procedure for how to go about these sorts of things.”
Ward 4 Alderman Mike Brooks said he’s fielded a “steady diet” of complaints about towing practices from his constituents concerning excessive fees and retrieval since he took office.
“The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, but when there’s this much smoke, there’s a fire out there somewhere,” he said.
Ward 1 Alderwoman Kim Moreland clarified that the proposal applies to all towing companies in Starkville, not just Apex.
“This is not a towing ordinance against Apex Towing,” she said. “This is a towing ordinance … for everybody that has a towing company in the city. Off the top of my head, I think there’s 11. … This is across the board. We’re not singling anybody out.”
Mayor Lynn Spruill closed the discussion by reiterating that towing fees will remain part of the process.
“You don’t get to get towed and then have a freebie,” she said. “There’s a cap on it, but the tow element, there’s nothing free about it.”
Other business
In other business, the board:
■ approved a resolution to opt out of Mississippi’s Safe Solicitations Act, which aimed to curb panhandling and would require anyone soliciting donations to acquire a permit costing up to $25; and
■ advised residents of Starkville Utilities energy workshops, which will be held at various times today and Thursday throughout Starkville. More information on the workshops is available on the Starkville Utilities website.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
