The police chief shall notify the owner of the property or money, if his or her identity is reasonably ascertainable, within thirty days that his or her department possesses the property and where it may be claimed. The notice shall also specify the cost, if any, of storage and care of the property, payment of which will be required of the owner at the time he or she claims the property or money. If the owner appears within ninety days after receipt of the property by the police department, proves ownership to the satisfaction of the police chief, pays all charges for storage and care of the property, the property shall be restored to him or her. If ownership is not proved to the satisfaction of the police chief he or she shall refuse to deliver such property or order the payment of such money until ordered to do so by an appropriate court.
(Prior code § 15-4)
A. 
If the reported value of the property is less than fifty dollars and no owner appears and proves his or her ownership of the property within ninety days after receipt of the property by the police department, title shall vest in the finder, unless the property was found in the course of employment by an employee of any public agency, in which case the property shall be sold at public auction.
B. 
If the reported value of the property is fifty dollars or more and no owner appears and proves his or her ownership of the property within ninety days, the police chief shall cause notice of the property found and its description once in a newspaper of general circulation within the county. If, after seven days following the publication, no owner appears and proves ownership, title shall vest in the finder provided:
1. 
He or she pays to the city the cost of publication; and
2. 
He or she is not an employee of any public agency and the property was found in the course of that employment (in which case the property shall be sold at public auction).
(Prior code § 15-5)
Upon expiration of the initial three-month period, any property so received and not delivered to the true owner or finder shall be sold at auction to the highest bidder for cash. Notice of any such sale shall be given by the police chief at least five days before the time fixed for the public auction once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county.
(Prior code § 15-8)
Such property may be sold by public auction, in the manner and upon the notice of sale of personal property under execution, if:
A. 
It is a thing which is commonly the subject of sale;
B. 
The owner cannot, with reasonable diligence be found, or being found, refuses upon demand to pay the lawful charges provided in this chapter; and
C. 
Either:
1. 
The property is in danger of perishing, or of losing the greater part of its value; or
2. 
The lawful charges provided in this chapter amount to two-thirds of its value.
(Prior code § 15-11)