303.08.1 FEES FOR POLICE IMPOUNDED VEHICLES; MAXIMUM AMOUNT TO BE CHARGED BY TOWING/WRECKER SERVICE COMPANY.

   (a)   In order to recover the administrative costs incurred by the City of Hamilton, there is hereby established a fee of forty dollars ($40.00) which shall be paid to the City by the owner of any vehicle impounded at a towing/wrecker service company facility by the Hamilton Police Division. In addition thereto, an owner of an impounded vehicle shall pay an administrative fee to the City of Hamilton of forty-five dollars ($45.00) once the owner notification process has been started by a member of the Division of Police by requesting title to an impounded vehicle

   (b)   Towing Fees:

      (1)   The towing/wrecker service company may charge up to one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for the transport of any vehicle impounded by the Hamilton Division of Police or for any vehicle to be towed by a company requested by the owner thereof but which tow is called in by the Hamilton Division of Police. This sum is in addition to the administrative fees set forth in paragraph (a) above. In the event a towing/wrecker service company is required to have the vehicle towed by a heavy duty wrecker, the towing/wrecker service company may charge more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00), up to the actual cost of the heavy duty wrecker not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00).

      (2)   If the tow involves a wrecked vehicle, there will be an additional twenty-five dollars ($25.00) wrecked vehicle service fee in addition to the towing fees set forth above.

      (3)   If the vehicle is submerged in water located within the municipality the towing/wrecker service may charge a maximum of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00). This sum is in addition to the administrative fees set forth in paragraph (a) above.

   (c)   Towing Storage Fees:

      (1)   A thirty dollar ($30.00) per day storage fee will be assessed when the impounded vehicle is stored at the towing company's lot. Of that thirty dollars ($30.00) per day fee, the City of Hamilton will be paid ten dollars ($10.00) per day for the first nine (9) days with one (1) day fee automatically assessed and the towing company will receive twenty dollars ($20.00). For day ten (10) and thereafter, the towing company will receive full thirty dollars ($30.00) per day storage fee.

      (2)   A thirty dollar ($30.00) per day storage fee will be assessed when the Hamilton Police Department calls in a request for tow on behalf of the vehicle's owners. The towing company will receive the full thirty dollars ($30.00) per day storage fee.

   (d)   The Chief of Police, or his designee, may waive or decrease the fees set forth in this section in order to avoid any injustice to the vehicle owner which might occur as a result of the imposition of these fees.

   (e)   The City Manager shall make, and from time to time may amend, revoke or add to, such rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter as he may deem necessary to regulate the towing/wrecker services provided to the City of Hamilton.

   (f)   Beginning in December 2002 and each December thereafter, the Chief of Police shall cause meetings between members of the Division of Police and towing/wrecker operators in order that he may recommend to City Council any adjustment of the fees which might be equitable due to the imposition of this fee.

(Ord. 2013-6-55. Passed 7-26-13; Ord. 2017-6-76. Passed 6-28-17; Ord. 2022-10-105. Passed 10-26-22.)