Fewer properties were available at this year’s tax sale Monday in Warren County than last year, though the list included a house owned by Mayor Paul Winfield and a handful of vacant and occupied commercial properties.

Warren County Tax Collector Antonia Flaggs Jones said 1,506 residential and commercial parcels of all sizes were available at the annual offering Monday, down from 1,685 last year. A majority of properties were residential. The number has stayed above 1,500 for the past four sales through a lagging economy.

Public sales are a function of the state’s enforcement of property taxes due. Bidders pay what an owner owes, then the owner may, by law, “redeem” the deed by paying the taxes plus a penalty that the bidder keeps. While most tax sale purchasers are seeking to profit when owners pay up, the process can lead to a tax deed if the property is not redeemed in three years.

A home at 1211 Mulvihill St. owned by Winfield and his wife, Malissa, received a bid from Anne B. Schilling, an individual local investor. Outstanding 2011 taxes totaled $4,832.85.

Commercial property at 1837 Cherry St., formerly the Tree House restaurant, sold to the state last year and this year, Jones said. The 2011 tax bill totaled $5,589.91.

Other commercial properties that received bids were:

• 3425 Pemberton Square Blvd., formerly A L Tanner Jewelers and Gifts, on outstanding 2011 taxes totaling $14,874.35. The bid was by Orlando-based Boaz Tax Sale Properties LLC.

• 2400 Washington St., owned by Mark Anderson Werner, on outstanding 2011 taxes totaling $1,173.50. The bid was by Jackson-based Viking Investment LLC.

• Mid South Lumber, on outstanding 2011 taxes totaling $17,625.33. Boaz won the bid.

• Mississippi Hardware, 1622 Washington St., on outstanding 2011 taxes totaling $9,843.12. Volkano AL/ Union Bank Omaha won the bid.