(A) The Town Police Department may be authorized to create a standard operating procedure to follow for vehicles which have been legally impounded by the Town Police Department.
(B) (1) As part of the standard operating procedure, a $20 administrative fee that will be collected by the Clerk-Treasurer of the town shall be authorized as part of that standard operating procedure, which will include impounded vehicle release.
(2) If the owner’s vehicle has been impounded by the Town Police Department, the owner is required to obtain a release from the Police Department before the owner may retrieve his or her vehicle from the towing company. The towing and impound fees charged by the towing company are wholly separate and additional to any fees that the Police Department may assess.
(3) To obtain a release of the owner’s vehicle from the towing company, the owner must provide the following information to the Police Department prior to the vehicle being released from the towing company.
(a) Proof of ownership as follows:
1. Name of registered owner of lien holder must be on the BMV registration files;
2. Official (stamped) paperwork from the BMV showing transfer of title; and
3. Picture identification, such as a driver’s license.
(b) Proof of valid insurance on the vehicle, such as an insurance policy, which must show the specific vehicle that was towed on the policy; it is not necessary that the policy be in the registered owner or lien holder’s name.
(c) Proof that the person who will operate the vehicle has valid driving privileges as follows:
1. Valid driver’s license; or
2. Implied consent temporary permit (issued to OWI drivers when license is confiscated; these are generally valid until the initial hearing at the court where the offense is charged).
(d) 1. The Police Department administrative fee shall be $20 cash (in either exact change, money order, or cashier’s check); this administrative fee is in addition to the towing or storage costs incurred through the towing company.
2. This fee must be paid to the Police Department prior to the vehicle being released from the towing company.
(Ord. 2021-01, passed 4-14-2021)