Pennsylvania Statutes Title 16 P.S. Counties § 2305. Acquiring and using real property; exceptions

(a) The commissioners may acquire real property by purchase for not more than the fair market value, gift, devise or eminent domain. The commissioners may acquire, improve and maintain such real property at the county seat or in such other places as they deem necessary for the purposes of a county courthouse, prison and such other facilities necessary for county purposes. The fair market value of real property in the case of a purchase valued in excess of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) shall be determined by the commissioners in consultation with two of the following: the county assessor, licensed real estate brokers, or licensed real estate appraisers doing business within the county.

(b) The commissioners may also use any real property at the county seat or elsewhere, as authorized by law, owned by the county, and deemed suitable by them for the purposes aforesaid, except such property as is bound by contract to another public use.

(c) The commissioners may provide for the grading, filling, draining, gardening and otherwise improving and maintaining of all lands for county buildings, either by contract or by county employes, as they deem proper.

(d) To the extent that any of the matters provided for herein are otherwise specifically provided for by law, with regard to any particular acquisitions of real property by counties, either by tax sales or by other purchases, this section shall not apply to such matters.