D1 councilwoman ‘did not realize’ City Hall approved increasing tow fees for ‘predatory’ private lots

A San Antonio councilwoman says she did not realize a recent increase in towing fees also impacted the amount companies can charge for towing from private parking lots.

City Council approved higher maximum towing fees as it looked for ways to address an anticipated $158 million budget deficit. Councilwoman Sukh Kaur (D1) said the changes are expected to bring the city an additional $2 million to $3 million.

“We were looking for ways to increase revenue to decrease the deficit that we were facing,” Kaur said.

For cars towed from city streets, the city’s revenue per light tow increased from $50 to about $110. Kaur said the city does not receive revenue from tows on private lots.

“I did also find out as a result of this interview that we actually increased the prices for private lots as well, which I did not realize,” Kaur said. “We don’t make anything off of private lots, and that’s a lot of the space where we see predatory towing practices.”

That increase affected the kind of lot where Kristina Richie said her two cars were towed. She said it cost about $717 to get the vehicles back.

“They towed the first car 19 minutes after I parked it, the second one 21 minutes after,” Richie said.

Richie said parking enforcement can happen quickly because of the accessibility tow truck drivers have to knowing when parking is about to expire. Kaur echoed the same sentiment and said she wants the ordinance updated to reverse the increase for private lots.

“Transparently, I did not realize that happened,” Kaur said. “So, we have to update the ordinance to reverse it back because that is where, again, like I said, we see the most predatory towing occurring.”

Kaur said the council will review the ordinance at an upcoming Public Safety Committee meeting. In the meantime, she encouraged drivers to watch for pay-to-park signs, especially in private lots, and encourages drivers to park on the street.

“Street parking for the city is a lot more affordable,” Kaur said. “It’s two dollars an hour and then it’s free at nights and weekends.”

More of this story on KSAT:

• Towing complaint in San Antonio parking lot goes viral on social media