He owned a small roadside repair shop.
His towing company had once participated in the county rotation.
Over time, the calls nearly stopped.
He explained that he'd filed questions about the contract but received little information.
He wasn't asking the county to favor his business.
He wanted the assignment process to operate according to written standards.
Then a young Black American college student spoke.
Her car had been towed after a flat tire.
She described standing alone near a service station while an officer threatened arrest if she continued questioning the decision.
A retired white American truck driver followed.
He described being charged storage fees after his vehicle was removed following a breakdown.
Then a Latino American delivery worker discussed losing several days of income because he couldn't retrieve a van quickly enough.
Their experiences differed.
Some complaints might have legitimate explanations.
Others appeared to involve administrative failures.
A few raised serious concerns about officer conduct.
But together they revealed how important towing decisions could be to people whose vehicles were essential to their livelihoods.
The commissioner watched every speaker.
He didn't applaud selectively.
Didn't interrupt.
And didn't promise that every claim would be upheld.
He took notes.
When the public comment period ended, the board chair invited him to speak.
He approached the microphone.
For a moment, he looked toward the audience.
Then he began.
"I know many people came here because of what happened to me on Pine Hollow Road."
The room became quiet.
He continued.
"That incident matters. It requires a full and fair investigation."
He paused.
"But the reason we're reviewing these systems is not that someone recognized my title."
He looked toward the mother holding the envelope.
Then toward the college student.
"It's because people have raised concerns that deserve careful examination."
His voice remained steady.
"We must not assume every officer acted improperly. We must not assume every tow was unlawful. And we must not treat every complaint as proof."
He paused.
"But we also cannot treat years of service, existing contracts, or professional relationships as substitutes for accountability."
Several officers near the back lowered their eyes.
The commissioner continued.
"A person who loses access to a vehicle may lose wages, medical appointments, or the ability to care for family."
He looked across the room.
"That doesn't mean we can never tow a car. It means the decision must be justified and documented."