Towing and impound fees increased, county won’t pay to finish Nicholas Conservatory project

- Notes from the Thursday, July 14 meeting of the Winnebago County Board

By Jim Hagerty
Online Editor

Drivers who get their cars impounded in Winnebago County will soon pay more to get them back.

At the Thursday, July 14 meeting of the Winnebago County Board, board members approved an increase of towing and impound fees for the first time since 1998.

Impound fees will be increased from $40 to $150. Towing fees will be increased from $58 to $85.

According to the board, the county lost money last year on the services and will no longer split the difference with vehicle owners.

The fee increased passed with a 14-10 vote.

Financial constraints were also key reasons why the county removed a $1 million request from the Rockford Park District from its agenda.

The park district hoped the county would contribute the funds to complete the more than $3 million project required to finish rebuilding the Sinnissippi lagoon.

The request included a $100,000 county subsidy to the park district next year and $100,000 a year for the next ten years beginning in 2017.

The proposal had initial board support but lost steam when board members opted for other ways to spend the money.

The county already contributes $100,000 per year to the park district for expansion projects at the Burpee Museum and Discovery Center. That agreement ends in 2016.

The board also pulled from its agenda a proposal to bring water service to the Baxter Road/I-39 corridor south of Rockford. The vote was delayed because an agreement with Cherry Valley, they county and New Milford is still being negotiated.