§ 12-60. Auction sales; disposition of proceeds generally.

(a)

If an abandoned motor vehicle, watercraft or outboard motor has not been reclaimed within twenty (20) days after the date of notice and payment of all towing, preservation and storage charges resulting from its impoundment, the county sheriff's department may sell the item at a public auction. Proper notice of the public auction shall be given and, in the event a vehicle is to be sold in satisfaction of a garage keeper's lien, the garage keeper shall be notified of the time and place of such auction.

(b)

The county sheriff's department shall furnish a sales receipt for each motor vehicle, watercraft, or outboard motor to the purchaser thereof at the public auction.

(c)

The proceeds shall be applied first to reimburse the county sheriff's department for the expenses of the auction, costs of towing, preserving and storage fees resulting from the taking into custody, and all notice and publication costs. Any remaining proceeds of the sale shall be held for the owner of the vehicle or entitled lien holder for ninety (90) days, and then shall be deposited in a special fund with the city treasurer that may be used for the payment of auction, towing, preserving, storage and all notice and publication costs which result from placing other abandoned vehicles, watercrafts, and outboard motors into custody, if the proceeds from the sale of such items are insufficient to meet these expenses and costs. In the event the special fund on deposit with the city treasurer accumulates in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), the city council may transfer the balance of such fund that exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) to the general fund for use by the county sheriff's department as budgeted.

(Ord. No. 2006-19, § 3, 11-13-2006)