(A) The County Dispatch Center shall maintain a list of approved wrecker service providers providing towing services to the county.
(B) (1) Upon receipt of a call from any police or emergency service personnel for wrecker service, the call shall be referred to the next wrecker agency on the rotating list; except, however, in the event the nature of the vehicle to be towed (e.g., semi-tractor trailer) is such that the next service does not have necessary equipment, then the dispatch operator may proceed down the list to an operator maintaining such equipment.
(2) Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the owner of a disabled vehicle from specifying the wrecker service whom the owner desires to transport his or her vehicle and upon the receipt of such request said request shall be honored unless the requested service is unavailable.
(3) In the event no local agency can provide the necessary towing services then the dispatch can seek assistance from a not otherwise authorized towing service on the county rotating list.
(4) All towing services seeking inclusion to the wrecker service list shall meet the following qualifications:
(a) Pay an annual regulatory service fee of $25;
(b) Maintain a place of business, and a qualified wrecker, in the county that provides 24-hour service, seven days per week and have a local telephone number (use of an answering machine is prohibited);
(c) Maintain a current registration with the State Police for providing towing services within the county and comply with all requirements associated with such registration;
(d) Respond in a lawful manner to all emergency calls within 20 minutes or less;
(e) Be independently owned and operated from one location within the county at which one wrecker is permanently based. Independently owned and operated means that no body shop, repair or auto storage facility shall have an ownership interest in more than one wrecker service on the county’s list;
(f) Notify the Judge Executive of any changes in the information on this application;
(g) Have a minimum weight limit of one ton;
(h) Be equipped with a motor driven wrench, wheel lifts and dollies;
(i) Be capable of towing imported vehicles, and be familiar with manufacturer’s recommendations regarding towing;
(j) Be equipped with one ABC fire extinguisher, safety chain, dolly, broom and shovel;
(k) Clean all debris from streets and properly dispose of same;
(l) Have DOT approved material to absorb spillage of liquids from wrecked vehicles on city streets;
(m) Provide a copy of their “fore hire” I.D. card;
(n) Name and DOT must be permanently printed on wrecked vehicles;
(o) Not charge for services rendered under the list than would otherwise be charged to private customers and furnish the Judge Executive with a list of all charges;
(p) Notify the Judge Executive of any increase in wrecker service charges 30 days prior to implementation;
(q) Wreckers shall nol be parked in any residential zone within the county;
(r) Be responsible for all losses, theft or damage to vehicles from the time they are towed until released to the owner, dealership, auto repair or storage facility;
(s) Furnish adequate record system for all vehicles and property towed and stored, and for all personal property removed therefrom;
(t) Employ only operators holding a valid Kentucky operator’s license;
(u) Show proof of commercial, auto, general liability and on-off hook extended coverage insurance:
1. General liability: $1,000,000, single limit;
2. Garage liability: $1,000,000; and
3. Garage keepers insurance: $80,000.
(v) Furnish the Judge Executive with a current itemized list of all charges for wrecker service, including basic tow and ad-on charges;
(w) The owner or lawful operator of a damaged or disabled vehicle shall have the right to determine the destination of said vehicle; and
(x) Wreckers are not required to transport vehicles to any requested destination other than an approved facility unless satisfactory arrangements have been made for payment.
(Ord. 01-340.1a, passed 1-2-2002)