Council members raised repeated constituent complaints of what one councilmember called "predatory" towing practices during the meeting. The councilmember summarized numerous cases in which residents reported paying $250–$300 to reclaim a vehicle even though the city cap is lower, saying many affected people reached out after a social-media post.

Interim Chief Starling and other staff described enforcement steps available under current city ordinance and state law. Chief Starling told council that when notified by a citizen, police will investigate alleged ordinance violations and that both the tow operator and a business owner could be charged if required standards were not met. The chief noted the city uses a separate rotational tow for law-enforcement situations that follows the South Carolina Department of Public Safety fee schedule; problems discussed on private commercial lots are distinct from that mandated rotational tow.

Finance-committee members said the committee has identified notification and process gaps and is working with the city attorney to align the city ordinance with state law; staff intend to bring a draft ordinance back to the finance committee before returning it to full council. One councilmember said a tow-company representative admitted that various companies engage in the practice, increasing the urgency for reform.

Council asked staff to gather specific complaints, draft proposed ordinance language updating notification and fee provisions, and coordinate enforcement procedures with the police department and city attorney. No formal ordinance change was voted on during the public session; council directed staff to return with proposed amendments for committee review.

"We would have to look at the ordinance and make sure that it's not being followed," Chief Starling said. "Once that case happens, we can charge the tow operator as well as a business owner".