(A) The county imposes a daily storage charge on each motor vehicle placed in the county impoundment facility by the County Sheriff’s Office, or other police agencies, in the sum of $10 per day so long as any such vehicle remains in impoundment. That said charges must be paid in full before any such impounded vehicle is removed from the impoundment facility.
(B) Records of the receipt of impounded vehicles be maintained by the office of the County Engineer and said office shall be responsible for the receipt of impoundment fees.
(C) It shall be the responsibility of the county to maintain a reasonable standard of security at the vehicle impoundment facility to ensure that vandalism and/or thefts shall be kept to an absolute minimum. The office of the County Engineer shall direct all agencies that deliver motor vehicles to the impoundment facility to notify said office as to identity of the motor vehicles, names of the registered owners, known lien holders, and condition of said motor vehicles at the time delivered to the impoundment facility; and that, all personal items have been removed from the vehicles or otherwise secured.
(D) (1) If, within ten business days of impoundment, a motor vehicle impounded at the county impoundment facility on Coleman Road has not been claimed, or a hearing has not been requested pursuant to KRS 82.625, notice shall be mailed by certified mail to the registered owner, if known, and lien holders of record, if any; affording the parties the right within ten days from the date of notice to claim the vehicle or request a hearing pursuant to KRS 82.625. The notice shall state that, if no hearing is requested, the vehicle shall be deemed abandoned unless the charges thereon are paid within 45 days of receipt of notice.
(2) After 45 days from the date of notice required by statute, an impounded motor vehicle shall be deemed abandoned and the vehicle shall escheat, to the county.
(3) If the vehicle is judged suitable for use, the local government may obtain a certificate of registration and ownership from the County Clerk pursuant to KRS 186.020 and either use the vehicle for governmental purposes or sell the vehicle at public auction to the highest bidder. If the vehicle is not suitable for use, it may be sold for its scrap or junk value.
(4) The county shall possess a lien on a motor vehicle impounded pursuant to KRS 82.625 for all storage charges, fines, penalties and fees imposed thereon. Such lien shall be superior to and have priority over all other liens thereon.
(5) If said vehicle is required to be held as evidence in a pending court case, the vehicle may not be removed from the impoundment facility, or otherwise disposed of, until a release has been given by the court in which the case is pending.
(Ord. 96-1, passed 5-13-1996)