York County approves Vanguard maintenance, moves forward with York commercial reappraisal

The York County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 30 approved two agreements with Vanguard: an annual maintenance agreement for commercial parcels and a commercial reappraisal agreement that will begin with commercial properties in the City of York.

Kurt Bolgren, the county assessor, told the board the maintenance contract supports valuation adjustments tied to new permits and other commercial changes and helps provide documented notes explaining valuation changes to taxpayers. "Vanguard, they take the time to put the notes in, you know, why where they came to get where they got to those values, how they got there," Bolgren said.

Bolgren said the maintenance agreement covers York commercial parcels and is limited in duration to comply with state rules on future professional-service agreements. "These agreements can only be for, like, a 2 year period ... and that's based on state law," he said.

The reappraisal proposal covers approximately 200 commercial and multifamily improved parcels in the City of York at roughly $380 per parcel, producing an estimated York-specific cost of about $99,850, according to a Vanguard letter dated Aug. 28. Bolgren said Vanguard will begin the broader countywide commercial reappraisal work in subsequent years, with major reappraisal work not expected to start countywide until 2026.

Several commissioners asked whether competitive bids had been sought; Bolgren said he did not solicit multiple bids because Vanguard uses the same costing manual the assessor's office uses and can integrate with county systems. Commissioners noted the county is not statutorily required to use competitive bidding for professional services.

Board action: the board approved the maintenance agreement and the York commercial reappraisal agreement by roll-call vote; the contracts will be routed for required property-tax-administrator approval as applicable.

Ending: The assessor will return with schedule and budget details for subsequent phases of the commercial reappraisal covering other villages and rural commercial parcels.