The process to seek appraisers for the USD 475 eminent domain effort to obtain a 150-acre site for a new Junction City High School began Thursday in Geary County District Court.

Three appraisers will be picked to do an appraisal of the property, which is called the North Munson Property,  just west of the city on the north side of K-18 Highway.

In court Thursday it was noted that retired banker Ken Mortenson was willing to do an appraisal once he is available in March. USD 475 was represented during the hearing by attorney Peter Rombold and the Richard Munson Trust by attorney David Troup.

Each party in the case will have seven days until February 22nd to select three appraisers and submit them to the court. Then they will have another seven days, or until March 1st,  to register any comments they might on any appraiser selected by the other party. At some point the Court can then select two appraisers to joint Mortenson, and can issue an order appointing the three appraisers.

USD 475 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Corbin Witt noted this week that they will then agree on a value for the property, the judge can decide if what the appraisers recommend is the correct amount or could place another value on the property, “and hopefully says that the land is ours at that point.”