DEARBORN — On Thursday, Dearborn Mayor Hammoud announced the appointment of Jacob Thurston as the city of Dearborn’s new assessor.

The assessor is responsible for administering Dearborn’s tax roll by evaluating properties for the purpose of calculating property taxes. The city assessor is appointed by the mayor with City Council approval.

Thurston has previously served at local, county and state levels of government and “brings significant professional property tax administration experience to the city,” the city said in a press release.

He holds several professional credentials, including: Michigan master assessing officer, personal property examiner, certified general real estate appraiser and individual real estate broker.

As the city’s assessor, Thurston will appraise and assess Dearborn properties and perform related administrative duties as required by the state. The department’s main function is to place fair and equitable assessments on every property, then calculate the capped and taxable value.

“I am confident that Mr. Thurston’s strong experience and credentials, and his commitment to serving the Dearborn community at the highest level, make him a great asset to Dearborn,” Hammoud said. “We are excited that he has joined our team.”

During the first week of his appointment, Thurston said, “I am excited to utilize my diverse experience in many different capacities on behalf of the city of Dearborn, while working with and leading a dynamic team.”

Thurston holds graduate degrees from the University of Detroit Mercy in economics and applied data analytics. He also holds a graduate degree in management and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Walsh College.