This chapter is adopted in consonance with § 810.10,
Wis. Stats.
Green Lake County has a very limited amount of space to store
items seized due to civil process seizures or items no longer needed
for investigative purposes.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
OWNER
A person who holds the legal title of a vehicle, except that
if legal title is held by a secured party with the immediate right
of possession of the vehicle vested in the debtor, the debtor is the
owner for purposes of this chapter. "Owner" also includes a lessee
in a consumer lease for a vehicle [See Wis. Stats. § 429.10(17)].
LIENHOLDER
A lessor, as defined in Wis. Stats. § 429.104(18),
or a creditor or party that holds a legally enforceable right to a
vehicle.
This chapter is enacted pursuant to the authority found in Wis.
Stats. §§ 66.0139 and 342.40(3).
Whenever the Sheriff determines that any motor vehicle, trailer,
semitrailer or mobile home (collectively hereinafter "vehicle") which
had been impounded by the County for purposes of evidence or other
law enforcement purpose can be reclaimed or is abandoned pursuant
to Wis. Stats. § 342.40(1m), and the vehicle has remained
unclaimed for a period of 30 days, the owner and any lienholder of
record shall be given written notice by certified mail containing
the following information:
A. The make, model and serial number of the vehicle, and the place where
the vehicle is being held.
B. The amount of the towing charge, if any, and that it must be paid
before the vehicle is released.
C. The vehicle must be reclaimed within 10 days of receipt of notice.
D. Failure of the owner or lienholders to reclaim the vehicle within
10 days shall be deemed a waiver of all right, title and interest
in the vehicle and a consent to the sale of the vehicle and the vehicle
shall be deemed abandoned.
Within five days after the sale or disposal of the vehicle,
the County shall advise the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
of the sale or disposition on a form supplied by the department.
The costs of disposal not recovered by the sale of the vehicle
may be recovered in a civil action by the County against the owner.
The owner of a stolen vehicle is not responsible for the costs of
impounding and disposing of the vehicle.
Any future amendments, revisions, or modifications of Wis. Stats.
§§ 66.0139 and 342.40(3) are intended to be made part
of this chapter as such amendments, revisions, or modifications are
made to those statutes.