From the proceeds of sale, the chief of police shall pay the costs of advertisement,
removal, storage, investigation as to ownership and liens, and publishing notice of
sale. The police chief shall hold the balance of the funds. If the owner has not made
a claim for the proceeds within 60 days of the sale, the remaining funds shall be
deposited in the county's general fund and the retained property may be used by the
police department. Any owner whose property was sold may apply to the county within
three years from the date of the sale and, if timely application is made with satisfactory
proof of ownership, the county shall pay the remaining proceeds of the sale or return
the property to the owner, without interest or other charges. No claim shall be made
nor any suit, action or proceeding be instituted for the recovery of such funds or
property after three years from the date of the sale.
The chief of police shall retain unclaimed property for use by the police if, in his
opinion, the police department has a legitimate use for it and retention of the property
is more economical than purchasing a similar or equivalent item. Any unclaimed property
retained shall become county property.
(Code 1978, § 2-55)
