The public works department of Kitsap County is responsible for the real property acquisition and relocation activities on projects administered by Kitsap County. To fulfill the property acquisition-relocation assistance role in development and implementation, the public works department has the following expertise and personnel capabilities and accomplishes these functions under the following procedures:
(1) The Kitsap County engineer administers all activities of the right-of-way section, including support to the prosecuting attorney in litigation, environmental law compliance and the property acquisition programs for the department. The county engineer assures compliance with appropriate Kitsap County ordinances and resolutions, state statutes, rules and regulations which pertain to real property acquisition and relocation assistance.
(2) The director of the department of public works administers all appraisal activities, including estimates of right-of-way costs and appraisals of fair market value to assure that the Kitsap County appraisal process complies with appropriate county and state statutes, laws, rules and regulations. He coordinates and assigns all appraisal work, hires contract (fee) appraisers, maintains permanent files on all appraisals. He reviews all appraisals to determine the adequacy and reliability of supporting data and to approve an adequately supported appraisal report which represents fair market value.
(3) The right-of-way agent in compliance with county, state law and appropriate rules and regulations, gives notice of relocation assistance at the time of or subsequent to initiation of negotiations according to lime limits determined by the funding agency. He prepares letters to property owners explaining entitlements. He prepares appropriate relocation claims. He is knowledgeable in state guidelines for relocation assistance and real property acquisition policies. If the project does not require relocation, he prepares a letter disclaiming necessity to prepare a relocation plan. He prepares relocation assistance program plans for projects requiring relocation assistance and carries out same. The agent makes field inspections of available substitute housing to insure decent, safe and sanitary qualifications. He meets with and interviews all displacees as to their needs, offering services and advice on a continuing basis. The right-of-way agent advises owners of need for a project, of impact upon their property and of their rights under Public Law RCW Chapter
8.26. He reviews project plans, appraisals and instruments for adequacy as to real property considerations. He actively negotiates with owners to acquire real property in conformance with all laws, rules and regulations. He requests condemnation procedure when necessary and sets up escrows and instructions.
(Res. 580-1979 A(part), 1979)