National City staff, including city manager Doug Schulze and members of the police department, have recommended that the City Council vote to award a municipal towing contract to Cortes Towing Enterprises. The recommendation comes after a review of the company’s recent suspension by the neighboring City of San Diego, which was lifted once the overdue invoices were paid.
Background on the suspension
San Diego suspended Cortes Towing Enterprises last September after the firm fell behind on more than $279,000 in impound fees it was supposed to collect on the city’s behalf. The suspension was reversed after Cortes paid the outstanding balance, and city officials say the issue stemmed from an administrative error that was quickly corrected.
City’s evaluation process
The National City bidding process requires towing providers to disclose any debarment or removal from contracts within the past ten years. The staff report notes that Cortes provided “positive references” from other agencies, but does not detail the San Diego suspension. After site visits and inspections, the evaluation team selected Cortes Towing Enterprises and El Cajon‑based Tony’s Auto Center and Towing as the two finalists from a pool of seven bidders.
Mayor Ron Morrison expressed concern, stating that the suspension “should definitely throw up a yellow flag,” but also noted that the city was not aware of any complaints against the current providers Angelo’s Towing and RoadOne. The staff report indicated that Angelo’s was disqualified for missing documentation from the California Highway Patrol, while RoadOne had a minor fencing issue and higher customer charges for some services.
Reactions from competing firms
Two unsuccessful bidders, Angelo’s and Quality Towing, sent protest emails citing perceived inconsistencies in the evaluation. RoadOne owner Brad Ramsay said, “We’re a decades‑long proven vendor…We’re disappointed in the city’s evaluation and the selection of a company with a problematic work history with the San Diego Police Department.” He added that the city “failed to vet the company thoroughly.”
Potential impact of the contract
The municipal towing contract is expected to be lucrative, with one industry insider estimating the award could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to the winning bidder. Municipal towing contracts generate revenue for the providers by charging vehicle owners fees for the removal of illegally parked cars, a service that helps keep city streets safe and orderly.
National City’s existing contracts with Angelo’s Towing and RoadOne are set to expire at the end of the month, prompting the city to seek new partners to continue providing this essential service.
Next steps
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the towing contracts next week. Council members will weigh the staff recommendation, the mayor’s concerns, and the protests from competing firms before making a final decision.
National City officials emphasize that the selection process was thorough and that the suspension issue has been resolved, allowing the city to move forward with a provider that can meet the community’s towing needs.
Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.
