§ 10-56. Disposal—Generally.

After holding an unclaimed abandoned motor vehicle for 30 days, the county may sell or dispose of the vehicle as provided herein. If the vehicle appears to be worth less than $100.00 the county may dispose of such vehicle as a junked automobile as provided herein. With the consent of the owner, the county may remove and dispose of any motor vehicle as a junked vehicle without regard to the value, condition or age of the vehicle, and without holding it any prescribed period of time. In the event the vehicle is worth $100.00 or more, it shall be sold at public auction. At least 20 days written notice of the sale shall be given to the registered owner at his last known address, the holder of all liens of record against the vehicle, and the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. Any person having an interest in the vehicle may redeem it at any time before the sale by paying all costs accrued to the date of redemption. The proceeds of the sale shall be paid to the county finance officer who shall pay to the appropriate officers or persons the costs of removal, storage, investigation, sale and liens in that order. The remainder of the proceeds of the sale, if any, shall be paid over to the registered owner, or held by the county for 60 days if the registered owner cannot be located with reasonable diligence. If the owner does not claim the remainder of the proceeds within the 60 days after the sale, the funds shall be deposited in the county's general fund and the owner's right thereto shall be forever extinguished.

(Ord. of 9-8-89, § 3)