Unlike many other officials who obtain authority for deputies and assistants through court order or letter of agreement, the assessor is limited by the budget adopted by the county legislative body with the following restriction: The assessor is authorized by statute to appoint one deputy for each 4,500 parcels of property over and above the first 4,500 parcels in the county. Each deputy has the same power, duties, and liabilities as the assessor concerning the appraisal, classification, and assessment of property. If an assessor does not have enough parcels of property to qualify for a deputy, a secretary may be employed to assist in the operation of the office, with the approval of the legislative body. T.C.A. § 67-1-506.