(1) There may be in the department of finance a division of assessment, the head of which may be the assessor. The division of assessment has the powers of and shall perform the duties prescribed for county assessors by general law.
(2) The division of assessment is in charge of the preparation of all special assessments for public improvements, the giving of notice of the assessments to property owners and purchasers of property under contracts for deed, and the certification of all unpaid assessments to the director of finance.