A. If, after the expiration of fifteen days from the date of mailing of the notice of custody and sale to the registered and legal owner, the abandoned vehicle remains unclaimed and has not been listed as a stolen or recovered vehicle, then the registered disposer having custody of the abandoned vehicle shall conduct a sale of it at public auction after having first published a notice of the date, place, and time of the auction in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the vehicle is located not less than three days before the date of the auction.

B. The abandoned vehicle shall be sold at the auction to the highest bidder. The proceeds of such sale, after deducting the towing and storage charges due the registered disposer including the cost of sale, which shall be conducted as in a public auction sale of personal property by the sheriff, shall be certified one-half to the county treasurer of the county in which the vehicle is located to be credited to the county current expense fund, and one-half to the state treasurer to be credited to the highway safety fund. If the amount bid at the auction is insufficient to compensate the registered disposer for the disposer’s towing and storage charges and the cost of sale, such registered disposer shall be entitled to assert a claim for any deficiency, not to exceed one hundred dollars less the amount bid at the auction, against the last registered owner of such abandoned vehicle.

C. After the public auction of any abandoned vehicle, the registered disposer shall give the successful bidder an affidavit of sale stating that the sale was conducted under the proper procedures and indicating the disposition of moneys derived from the sale and after such successful bidder has submitted an application for a certificate of title along with applicable fees, taxes, and the affidavit of sale, the director of the department shall issue a certificate of title showing ownership of the vehicle or automobile hulk in the name of the successful bidder at such auction; provided, that a licensed auto wrecker or scrap processor may use such affidavit in lieu of a certificate of title to report the acquisition for wrecking or demolition. (Ord. 869-82 § 10, 1982.)