A. Bidding Required: Any party wishing to bid on property offered for sale may bid, in person, or through an authorized agent, an amount of not less than the tax, penalty, interest and costs as determined by the county treasurer. In the event that more than one bid is made, upon completion of the bidding, the property will be awarded to the successful bidder. Funds must then immediately be deposited by the successful bidder with the county treasurer in the amount equal to the bid price at the time the bid is accepted.
B. Bidding Not Permitted: If a bidder is the record owner of the property, or an agent of the record owner, or a contract buyer, no competitive bidding will be permitted. An agent shall include a personal representative or administrator, mortgage holder or trustee under a trust deed. In the event that a bid is made by such person, the property will be redeemed in the name of the record owner.
C. Collusive Bidding Prohibited: Collusive bidding is prohibited. "Collusive bidding" is defined as any agreement or understanding reached by two (2) or more parties that changes the bids the parties would otherwise offer absent the agreement or understanding.
D. Conflict Of Interest; Disclosure Requirements:
1. No employee of any county office connected with the tax sale may bid on or benefit from property offered for sale, directly or indirectly, except where the employee is the record owner, an heir or personal representative of a deceased record owner or an abutting property owner.
2. Where a business associate or relative of an employee of any county office connected with the tax sale desires to participate in the tax sale, complete written disclosure of any relationships that might create the appearance of a conflict of interest must be made prior to the sale. (Ord. 3.65, 4-7-1997, eff. 4-28-1997)