Hillsborough Commissioners approve higher rates for non-consensual tows, fuel surcharge proposal

Drivers whose vehicles are towed at law enforcement's direction or removed from private property will soon face higher towing fees in Hillsborough County.On Wednesday, county commissioners voted 7-0 to move forward with a proposal updating county-regulated towing rates after towing companies argued that rising fuel, labor, insurance and equipment costs have made it increasingly difficult to operate under current rates.Watch report from Jada Williams Hillsborough County Moves Forward with Higher Rates for Non-Consensual TowsThe vote directs the county attorney's office to return with a resolution implementing updated rates. The changes are not yet in effect.Towing operators spent much of the meeting making their case to commissioners, saying nearly every aspect of their business has become more expensive in recent years."Everybody who stopped at the gas pump recently knows what we face," Anthony Huffman told commissioners. "If you change the oil in your car, you're paying more. If you b