Jim Thomas will start his new job as the joint assessor for the cities of South Portland and Westbrook on April 15. Thomas has most recently served as the assessor in Saco.
He takes the place of Elizabeth Sawyer, South Portland’s longtime assessor, who retired from her post on Jan. 1. The cities of South Portland and Westbrook began sharing assessing services in 2004 and other communities, including Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough, have also signed such agreements in recent years.
Thomas will receive a starting salary of $95,149, the cost of which will be split evenly between South Portland and Westbrook, according to Don Brewer, South Portland’s human resources director.
Thomas and his wife, Sandy, have lived in Cumberland for the past 25 years and have four grown children. The couple share their home with a pet cat. Thomas is a Westbrook High School graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public management and economics from the University of Maine.
He also has an associate’s degree in computer science and a degree in public policy from the Muskie School at the University of Southern Maine. During his career, Thomas has split his time between working in the private sector and working for municipal government.
He’s been the assessor in Saco for the past three years.
“Saco is a great place with great people. I’m going to miss it,” he said this week.
Thomas spoke with the Current about his new joint assessing duties and what an assessor actually does.
Q: Why did you apply for the assessing position that covers both South Portland and Westbrook?
A: I’ve long admired the work of now retired assessor Elizabeth Sawyer and her staff in the assessing department of the two municipalities. I consider it a privilege to be joining this team. I also appreciate the economies of scale achieved by the two cities in creating a joint assessing office that serves both communities.
Q: What are the differences between the two communities?
A: They are each diverse and dynamic. Between them they have mills and malls, rivers and oceans, generational and developing neighborhoods, high-tech and traditional business and great family businesses and restaurants. For more specifics, ask me again in six months.
Q: Can you explain what an assessor does?
A: My job is to ensure that the burden of the local property tax is allocated fairly, and according to our state’s laws, among all property taxpayers in the community. This is important because the property tax funds the majority of operations for local government and schools districts. People should also know that much of the assessing information for individual property owners, as well as the whole community, is available online. These assessing tools also include mapping abilities.
See www.southportland.org/departments/assessors-office/ or www.westbrookmaine.com/city-departments-boards-commissions/assessing for more information, including how to contact my office.
Q: What do you most enjoy about your job?
A: I meet a lot of people each day. Through listening to people, I learn a great deal about the communities I serve. No two days are alike.
Q: What is your overall goal in serving South Portland and Westbrook?
A: I am joining an excellent, well-established team of assessing professionals. I look forward to working with them to continue to perform to the highest standards.
Jim Thomas
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