Between October 1 and January 1 of each year, the tax assessor shall in all counties having a population of 100,000 or less visit each voting place in each precinct for the purpose of listing property for taxation, and he shall remain there one day in all county precincts and towns of less than 1,000 inhabitants from 8:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. In towns, other than county seats, of 5,000 inhabitants or more, he shall remain at each place of appointment for one week, either by himself or deputy. In places of 1,000 inhabitants and not over 5,000, he shall remain at the place of appointment for three days, either by himself or deputy. The assessor shall give at least 10 days' notice by advertisement in a newspaper, if there is one published in the county, and by bills posted at five or more public places in each election precinct of the time when he will attend to receive the tax returns. Upon the failure of the tax assessor to give the notice required by this section or to attend any appointment made by him in any precinct, he shall, after legal notice, fill new appointments or forfeit all claims to fees from such persons in such precinct as were disappointed by his nonattendance. He shall keep the office open at the courthouse all the year around. The county commission may, by order duly entered on its minutes as other orders and decrees of the commission are entered, relieve the tax assessor from making visits to each voting place in each precinct as above provided when, in the opinion of the commission, it is deemed advisable.