For a period not in excess of two years after the payment of any sum into the general fund of any county or municipality on account of the sale of any abandoned motor vehicle, governing bodies of the respective counties or municipalities shall hear and determine claims of any persons claiming to be damaged by the sale of any such vehicle and shall make awards to owners or lienholders as their interests may appear, but in no event shall the awards be in excess of the net amount received by the county or municipality from the sale of the vehicle. The decision of the county or municipal governing body in connection with any such claim shall be final.