Towing contract expected to bring over $1.5M to city

Contract brings $1.5M to city, doubling revenue.

DAYTON — The City Commission unanimously approved Wednesday a five-year towing contract expected to bring more than $1.5 million to the city, more than doubling revenue to the city earned in the previous five-year contract.

Four companies, all who previously held contracts with the city, submitted bids. The city awarded the new contracts to Sandy’s Auto and Truck Service and Summit Towing Inc. Each will pay the city about $150,000 annually during the next five years.

One of the unsuccessful bidders, Hollis Shifflett of Hollis Towing, asked the commissioners to delay approval because he did not feel he was treated fairly. Dayton Police Maj. Larry Faulkner cited several reasons for not awarding the contracts to Hollis Towing and Sid’s Towing.

The bids didn’t include all the information required to analyze the bid, including names and qualifications of drivers and storage capacity, Faulkner said.

Shifflett said he owns eight acres and currently has 300 cars in his secure facility, but did not include that information in his bid.

“I’ve worked for the city for the past eight years,” Shifflett said. “They know me, and they know how much space I have.”

When you bid on a city job “your proposal has to be very complete,” Faulkner said, adding all four companies are Dayton-based, have worked for the city and are good companies.

Shifflett said without the city towing contract, he and his 10 employees are out of business.

Sandy’s Auto and Truck Service will pay the city $151,717 annually to tow and store vehicles illegally parked, abandoned, at accident and arrest scenes, needed for evidence or in need of safekeeping for the East Zone from the east of the Stillwater River until it flows into the Great Miami River and east of the Great Miami to the eastern city limits.

Summit Towing Inc. will pay the city $150,777 annually to tow and store in the West Zone.

Additionally, each company pays administrative fees quarterly, amounting to $5 for each vehicle towed except abandoned vehicles.

The contract runs from April 1 through Dec. 31, 2016. Total revenue for the contract is $1,512,470 over the five years.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2290 or dpage @DaytonDailyNews.com.

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