PoliticsJuly 7, 2026
assessor
/əˈsɛsər/
Definition
A public official responsible for determining the value of property for the purpose of taxation.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'assidere,' meaning 'to sit beside' (as a judge’s assistant). It entered English via Old French, evolving to describe someone who sits with a body of people to help determine value or tax liability.
In the news
The article mentions an amendment that would force Jackson County to have an elected official for this role rather than an appointed one. This is significant because the assessor's valuation directly influences local property tax levels.
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