Lancaster County advances appraisals for South 68th Street federal-aid project, cites prior federal shutdown as factor in delays

Lancaster County commissioners authorized appraisal and appraisal-review agreements on May 26 to clear the way for property acquisitions tied to the South 68th Street federal-aid road improvement project.

Dalton Hoferer, County Engineering Right-of-Way Manager, asked the Board to approve an agreement with RL Keith Consultant Inc for appraisal-review services ($43,860) to meet federal procurement and acquisition requirements. Commissioner Matt Schulte moved and Vice Chair Chelsea Johnson seconded the motion; the Board voted 5-0 to approve the agreement.

Pam Dingman, County Engineer, sought approval of a separate agreement with Kubert Appraisal Group to perform property appraisals for the same project at a cost not to exceed $134,300. Dingman told the Board the project includes federal funding and that recent pace issues were attributable in part to a federal government shutdown; she added that staff is continuing to advance the project as quickly as possible. The Board approved the appraisals 5-0.

Dingman also described related work the Engineering Office is advancing, including replacement of multiple salt sheds (the Sprague salt shed is the first of four planned) and a bridge repair for approach-slab improvements. The Board approved those contracts as well during the meeting.

What happens next: County Engineering will proceed with appraisals and property-acquisition steps required by federal-aid processes and coordinate timing with relevant federal and local stakeholders.