Notice and sale of stolen or abandoned property.

(a) At least every six months, the sheriff shall sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash all abandoned or stolen personal property, other than firearms, which has been recovered by the sheriff's department and has remained unclaimed by the rightful owner during the preceding six month period.

(b) Prior to the sale, notice shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Baldwin County once a week for two successive weeks and by posting a notice in a conspicuous place at the Baldwin County Courthouse for a period of at least 20 days. The notice shall contain the place, date, and time of each auction and a description of each item of personal property to be sold at the auction. Publication of notice shall be made in the newspaper; the first notice shall run at least 20 days prior to the auction.

(Act 97-520, p. 909, §4; Act 97-564, p. 999, §4.)