Each year, every Florida county holds an auction to sell tax certificates to collect delinquent property taxes. Many bidders submit bids at the minimum interest rate (which would make them “high” bidders). Thus, the County receives many substantively identical bids, which effectively turns the auction into a lottery. To increase their chances of prevailing, some bidders have used numerous affiliated entities to increase their number of bids. In response, based on past Board direction, the Records, Taxes and Treasury Division developed rules prohibiting “collusion among bidders” through the use of multiple affiliated entities. Nevertheless, some bidders have attempted to circumvent these rules. To ensure uniform application and enforcement of the rules, this item directs the Office of the County Attorney to draft the necessary provisions for the rules and regulations, including those covering enforcement and remedies, to be formally codified into the Code of Ordinances or Administrative Code.
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