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Port Richey council approves auction of 11 impounded vehicles, asks staff for accounting
Summary
Council approved sending 11 impounded/abandoned vehicles to Royal Auction Group for sale and asked staff to return with a simple accounting of fees and proceeds to show net financial impact.
The Port Richey City Council voted Sept. 9 to declare 11 impounded vehicles surplus and send them to Royal Auction Group for public auction after discussion about the city’s costs and accounting for the program.
City Manager Andrew Butterfield told the council the vehicles had been in city custody for more than 90 days and were normally sent to Royal Auction Group for auction. Councilmembers pressed staff for a one-time accounting and an ongoing process to show what the city recovers after fees and transportation costs.
Councilmember Chris (surname not specified in the record) and other members asked whether the city ever pays to transport vehicles and whether any auction house returns a bill for expenses after sale. Staff replied the auction company picks up the vehicles, deducts its fees from sale proceeds and the city receives the remaining funds. For the current batch, staff said the “dollars invested” column shows zero for the 11 vehicles listed, and estimated a combined minimum return of roughly $17,000 if typical prices hold.
Councilmembers asked for a post-auction spreadsheet showing fees assessed, sale proceeds and any net revenue or expense for each vehicle. Staff agreed to produce that accounting for the council after the auction and to set up a process for future reporting.
A motion to approve sending the 11 vehicles to auction was made, seconded and carried by voice vote; the transcript records ayes and “motion carries.”
