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(Des Moines, IA) -- The Des Moines City Council has approved a new three‑year contract with Crow Tow to continue providing towing, storage, and public‑impound services for the city.
“Towing is a necessary service that the city contracts for, but our contract should be a model of good towing practices. This contract is a missed opportunity to provide better protections to our residents,” said Des Moines City Council Member Josh Mandelbaum.
Mandelbaum says the city needs to do more to protect residents from aggressive towing practices. Along with approving the contract, he introduced a motion requiring the council to hold a work session to discuss towing regulations.
Other council members voted against the motion, saying they didn’t have enough time to review the proposal before voting.
Council Member Joe Gatto says those concerns can be addressed, but the immediate issue was timing.
“That doesn't have anything to do with the contract that expires on March 1st. What Council Member Mandelbaum is asking us to do is regulate other businesses where we get the majority of the complaints. This contract that we are voting on, we haven't had any complaints,” said Gatto.
The approved contract includes several consumer‑protection measures, such as eliminating drop fees and ensuring access to personal property. However, it shortens the time before vehicles can be auctioned.
The new contract with Crow Tow runs through February 2029. Discussions about broader towing regulations are expected to continue later this year.