Monterey County Municipal Code Ch. 5.12 Disposition of Unclaimed Property

All unclaimed personal property in the possession of the Sheriff of Monterey County shall be stored in a safe place by the Sheriff of the County for at least four months. The Sheriff shall restore such property to its legal owner upon proof of ownership satisfactory to him or her and upon the payment of all reasonable necessary costs in the care and protection thereof, unless such property is held by the sheriff as evidence in a pending case in which case it shall be disposed of only upon order of the proper court.

(Ord. 1676 § 1, 1969)

At any time after the expiration of the four month period provided for in Section 5.12.010, the Sheriff may publish once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the County of Monterey notice of his or her intention to sell at public auction to the highest bidder, at the time and place specified in the notice, all unclaimed personal property when determined by the Sheriff or Chief Deputy Sheriff, that any such property is needed for public use, may approve that said property be retained by the department for its use or County use, provided said property is properly accounted for when the value of said property exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00).

(Ord. 2878, 1982; Ord. 1676 § 2, 1969)

The sale shall be held not less than five days after the publication of the notice provided for in Section 5.12.020, and each item shall be separately sold at public auction to the highest bidder.

The Sheriff may, in his or her discretion, establish a minimum bid for any item to be sold. Any bid less than the established minimum shall not be accepted.

(Ord. 1676 § 3, 1969)

The expenses connected with the sale shall be a proper charge against the County and all proceeds received from the sale shall be delivered to the Treasurer for deposit in the general fund.

(Ord. 1676 § 4, 1969)

Any item remaining unsold after being offered at such public auction may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the Sheriff.

(Ord. 1676 § 5, 1969)

The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to property subject to confiscation under the laws of the State of California or of the United States of America.

(Ord. 1676 § 7, 1969)