Assessor Frank outlines how property assessments, Prop 19 and homeowner services affect Compton residents

Assessor Frank, the countys elected assessor, told a Compton audience that his office appraises property but does not collect property taxes and described recent assessment-roll growth and services meant to protect homeowners.

Frank said the assessors office assigns market values when property changes hands and maintains the annual assessment roll that underpins local property-tax revenue. "We do not collect property taxes. I am not the tax collector," he said, explaining that the auditor-controller applies tax rates and the treasurer/tax collector sends bills.

Why it matters: property taxes fund schools, public safety and local services. Frank reported that the county assessment roll increased by about $82 billion (roughly 3.9%) from the prior year, and he said Comptons assessed value rose faster than the county average (he cited a…