Merced County Municipal Code Ch. 5.28 Unclaimed Property

Any unclaimed property which has come into the possession of the sheriff of the county may be disposed of by the sheriff in accordance with the provisions of Section 1873 of the Civil Code of the state in the following manner: such unclaimed property, except unclaimed bicycles, shall be held by the sheriff for a period of at least six months, and unclaimed bicycles shall be held for a period of at least three months, and thereafter such property will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder. Notice of such sale shall be given by the sheriff at least five days before the time fixed therefor by publication once, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county.

(Ord. 497, 1964)

In the event that there are no bids for any item of unclaimed property, the sheriff is authorized to destroy said unclaimed property, or to otherwise dispose of such property to any department of the county or to any charitable or nonprofit organization.

(Ord. 497, 1964)