How is the minimum bid on a tax sale property determined?

State law dictates that the minimum bid for property offered at a public auction tax sale be an amount not less than the total amount necessary to redeem the tax default, plus costs. Except pursuant to Section 3698.5(c) of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, when property interests have been offered at a previous sale and no acceptable bids were received, the Tax Collector may offer that property or property interest at a minimum bid that is less than the amount of the tax default, plus costs.