In all cases where a vehicle is seized and forfeited to the city pursuant to this chapter, the vehicle shall be sold, or if cash is paid as settlement in lieu of forfeiture of the vehicle, and the proceeds of the sale or said cash shall be distributed and appropriated as follows:
(A) To the bona fide or innocent purchaser, conditional sales vendor, mortgage or lien holder of the vehicle, if any, up to the amount of his or her interest in the vehicle, when the court or City Attorney declares the forfeiture and sale of the vehicle and orders a distribution to that person.
(B) To the city for all expenditures made or incurred by it in connection with the publication of the notices set forth in this chapter, and sale of the vehicle, including expenditures for any necessary repairs, storage or transportation of any vehicle seized under this chapter.
(C) The remaining funds shall be distributed to the Department to cover the costs of implementing the program. Such funds shall be placed in a separate account titled "The Vehicle Forfeiture Account." The Vehicle Forfeiture Account shall be subject to appropriate accounting controls and financial audits for all deposits and expenditures.
(D) All the funds distributed to the Department pursuant to division (C) of this section shall not supplant any funds that would, in the absence of this chapter, be made available to support the law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts of the Department.
(Ord. 1355, passed 10-15-03)