Proceeds from the sale of any abandoned vehicle shall be applied to the expense of auction, cost of towing, preserving, storing and notification required, in accordance with state law. Any balance shall be held for the owner of the motor vehicle or entitled lienholder for 90 days, and then shall be deposited in the State Road Use Tax Fund. Where the sale of any vehicle fails to realize the amount necessary to meet costs, the police authority shall apply for reimbursement from the Department of Transportation.
(Iowa Code § 321.89(4)) (1999 Code, § 80.09)