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A “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” that works for an Andrew Lloyd Webber hater

Greggory Moore
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A “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” that works for an Andrew Lloyd Webber hater

A Bible story — ho-hum. Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice — clunky and populist. “A contemporary twist inspired by some of the biggest music icons of the last two decades,” says the press release, “[…] such as Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Adam Levine” — purveyors of some of the most dismissible pop in the last 30 years.

But I’m here to tell you that you can feel this way and still dig Musical Theatre West’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a perfect example of how musicals can win on pure spectacle.

In case you don’t know your Torah, Joseph (Brian Justin Crum) is father Jacob’s (Harrison White) fave, but it’s a bridge too far for the old man’s 11 other sons when daddy signifies that favoritism by giving Joseph a fly “coat of many colors.” Initially planning to murder him, they settle on selling him into slavery, a bondage that brings Joseph to Egypt, where — partly due to his clairvoyant dream interpretation — he survives a series of misadventures to become a major player in Egyptian society, saving many lives during a seven-year famine.

But I don’t care about that. And as far as I’m concerned, Webber & Rice couldn’t write a Chicago or a Grease or even a Godspell (playing across town right now in a fabulous production) if they had a hundred lifetimes. Disney is more their level — and I dislike Disney.

And yet, there I was having a helluva time right from the jump.

In case you don’t know (I certainly didn’t), in terms of aesthetics and subtext, Joseph has got to be one of the queerest shows on God’s gay earth. Like, wow. Smartly, Musical Theatre West does everything short of unfurling Pride flags onstage to emphasize that queerness. It’s a joyous, campy ride from start to finish (says the reviewer who doesn’t find camp inherently charming). And did I say fierce? Fierce, girl, fierce.

I don’t usually mention mise en scène this early in a review, but between Kevin Clowes’s set (no more pieces than necessary, all of scale and quality), Jared Sayeg’s lighting (you better bring it to a show with “technicolor” in the title), and the costumery of Adam Ramirez, Giovanni Virella-Torres, & Garrett Ruiz (combine Village People vintage with 21st-century urban street life, add a dash of drag, shake vigorously, sprinkle liberally with leather), director Larry Raben and his cast have a perfect frame for strutting their stuff.

And strut they do. The casting is fabulous. For obvious reasons, many companies get the best singers they can find and hope the rest will take care of itself. Often that’s a big mistake, because if the show doesn’t deliver on spectacle — a quasi-tangible gestalt — then you’re better off going to a concert or sitting home with your cast album. (Sure, bad singing can ruin the proceedings, but you think Angela Lansbury was the original Mrs. Lovett because of her vocal virtuosity?) But it seems Musical Theatre West’s number-one priority was making sure everyone — leads, ensemble, the 20-strong student chorus — was capable of bringing the requisite energy, physicality (Corey Wright could not have choreographed this show more aptly), and pure presence.

A highlight from Act One is the lengthy and very funny sequence “One More Angel in Heaven / Hoedown”, a total cast triumph, though the spotlight is on a fantastically droll Zane Camacho. And Brian Justin Crum is a powerhouse Joseph — something I didn’t notice at first, because to me the music isn’t special. But at the end of Act One, with “Close Every Door” and then “Go, Go, Go, Joseph” (something Wham! might have come up with had they ever tried their hand at musical theatre), it was obvious he was the total package.

Because I couldn’t care less about the story, I would have been perfectly satisfied had the show ended at intermission. But Act Two was even better. I begrudgingly admit that Webber deserves credit for some fun(ny) stylistic shifts, such as “Those Canaan Days” and “Benjamin Calypso”, both of which the 11 non-Joseph brothers sell delightfully. As Pharaoh, Kenneth Mosely brings the house down with “Song of the King”, and then even more so with its reprise. Considering that the latter’s musical style simply did not exist at the time of Joseph’s composition (late 1960s), special credit here (and elsewhere, such as the “Megamix” that closes the show with a twist on the practice of reprising a film’s entire score during the credits) is due music director Anthony Zediker.

I never would have guessed I could enjoy anything involving Andrew Lloyd Webber. And I doubt there are many ways of doing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat that would work for me. But this is damn sure one of them.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Musical Theatre West
Times: Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm & 7pm, Sun 1pm
The show runs through July 26.
Cost: starting at $20
Details: (562) 856-1999, musical.org
Venue: Carpenter Performing Arts Center (6200 W. Atherton, Long Beach)

Long Beach Shakespeare Co. camps up “The Importance of Being Earnest” to great effect

Greggory Moore
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Long Beach Shakespeare Co. camps up “The Importance of Being Earnest” to great effect

In my early 20s — a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away — I counted The Importance of Being Earnest as a fave. But well before turning 30, all that verbal slapstick left me cold — and so, decades later, I was planning to skip Long Beach Shakespeare Company’s new production.

“Then again,” I thought, “the last time I chanced one of their non-Shakespeare offerings, September 2025’s A Doll’s House, it was one of the best things I saw all year. And it’s not like I think Earnest is a bad play, so….”

Good choice, Greggory, as director Rebekah Walendzak Slepski’s NewRo take deliciously leans into the silly with just the right self-conscious style to tickle even if Oscar Wilde doesn’t delight as he once did.

If you’ve never seen Earnest, you may as well skip the rest of this review and proceed directly to buying a ticket, because you shouldn’t shuffle off this mortal coil without having seen a good production of this drawing-room classic (maybe the drawing-room classic). But if you’re still reading, here’s the story: although Jack (Adriano Brown) keeps a house in the country — where his ward Cecily (Jacqueline Vellandi) resides — he loves London life, so he’s invented a younger brother named Ernest whose supposed profligacy Jack frequently uses as an excuse to go to town. He lives life there under that fictional brother’s name, pursuing the affections of posh Gwendolen (Angie Green) and having a (not literally (although…?)) gay old time with her cousin Algernon (Cole Flores) — who himself knows a thing or two about a well-placed fiction in the service of pleasurable pursuits. Gwendolen feels she could never love anyone not named ‘Ernest,’ and Cecily fancies herself in love with Ernest, and Algernon goes out to the country posing as Ernest, and….

In the program, Slepski claims that “Earnest endures because it understands a timeless truth: we all wear masks” and “beneath the laughter lies a surprisingly modern question: Who are we when no one is watching, and who do we become when the world insists we a play a role.” Frankly, I don’t buy it. I don’t think there’s anything beneath Earnest’s silly surface.

But that’s more than okay, because this is just where Slepski succeeds. From the moment the lights come up, the camp amp is turned to 11, mugging so hard that maybe 15% of their dialog is directed to the audience rather than to each other, thus inviting us in on the joke that this isn’t even serious comedy, but only (“only”) a highly calculated attempt at style over substance. Had they reined it in to the more mannered farce that we usually get with Earnest (for example, in the 1952 film adaptation), I, for one, would have enjoyed it far less.

Because the entire cast revels in this approach, it’s a bit misleading to single anyone out. But let’s just say that while Cole Flores ravenously chews the scenery (a term that’s usually a put-down, but not here), there isn’t a person treading the boards who isn’t both hungry and has a good set of choppers.

Apropos of “scenery,” although this bare-bones take on Earnest would’ve worked without anything to speak of on this front, Max de Bernadine has come up with a set design that is not only highly functional but also yields a few surprises. Elsewhere in the mise en scène, Terry Hill’s costumes are far nattier than we have any right to expect in a black box.

Seeing another production of The Importance of Being Earnest after all these years doesn’t make me like it any better. My taste in art has simply traveled too many miles from I loved it so. But Long Beach Shakespeare Company’s production does remind me that, so long as you’re dealing with material of a certain craft and quality — and say what you will about Wilde, you can’t say he lacks on that score — there are always new ways to stir up old embers and generate a little present-tense warmth.

The Importance of Being Earnest at Long Beach Shakespeare Company
Times: Fri–Sat 8:00 p.m., Sun 2:00 p.m.
The show runs through July 25.
Cost: $16.50 to $26.50 (including fees)
Details: (562) 997-1494; LBshakespeare.org
Venue: Helen Borgers Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach

ALERT: Special Ethics Commission Meeting Notice

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ALERT: Special Ethics Commission Meeting Notice

The Los Angeles County Governance Reform Task Force will hold a special meeting on July 17.

The Task Force will review and discuss draft charter amendment language prepared by county counsel related to the establishment of the Independent Ethics Commission and office of ethics compliance.

The Task Force may provide feedback, identify proposed revisions, clarify its previously adopted recommendations, and take other actions concerning the proposed charter language before it is considered by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Members of the public may attend in person, join online through Webex, or participate by telephone. For questions, contact info@measureg.lacounty.gov or 213-974-1411.

Time: 12 p.m., July 17

Details: https://tinyurl.com/ethics-meeting-agenda

Venue: Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street, Room 374-A, Los Angeles

City of Long Beach Celebrates Opening of First Cannabis Equity Dispensary

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City of Long Beach Celebrates Opening of First Cannabis Equity Dispensary

 

Eligible entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply


LONG BEACH– The City of Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Opportunity or EDO July 15 licensed the first dispensary under the city’s Cannabis Equity Program, marking a milestone in the city’s commitment to advancing social equity and creating pathways for those disproportionately impacted by past cannabis criminalization.

The newly licensed and operating dispensary Off the Charts, located at 6037 Atlantic Ave. in the North Long Beach community, was awarded a program grant to support the opening of the establishment. The program is designed to ensure that economic opportunities within the regulated cannabis industry are accessible to all Long Beach residents. Funded by the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the program provides direct grants of up to $350,000 and a range of supportive services for eligible applicants, including one-on-one technical assistance comprising business development, legal and financial consulting services.

The city has reopened direct grant applications for the program and is currently accepting applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are available online and will remain open until funding is exhausted. Recognizing that every cannabis business is different, the amount of grant funding awarded will be dependent upon the type of cannabis activity being conducted and the size of the facility.

Those who are interested in applying or have questions may email CannabizLB@longbeach.gov.

Details: longbeach.gov/cannabis.

Hahn to Propose First-Ever Metro Rider Seat on Metro Board

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Hahn to Propose First-Ever Metro Rider Seat on Metro Board

 

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro director Janice Hahn announced that she will introduce a proposal to add a dedicated Metro rider to the Los Angeles Metro board of directors, giving the people who rely on the transit system every day a direct voice in the agency’s highest decision-making body.

“The Metro Board needs a Metro rider,” said Hahn. “I’ve started riding Metro more often, and it has made me a better Metro Director—but I’m not an everyday rider. We should have someone on the dais who experiences the system day in and day out and can tell us what’s working, what’s not, and how our decisions affect the people who depend on our trains and buses.”

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board of directors is composed of elected officials and representatives appointed by elected leaders representing jurisdictions across Los Angeles County. The voting membership includes the five members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the mayor of the City of Los Angeles, three additional representatives appointed by the mayor of Los Angeles, and four representatives selected through the city selection committee process. In addition, the board includes one non-voting member appointed by the Governor of California.

Hahn will introduce the motion for a vote at the July 23, meeting of the full Metro board. If approved, Metro staff would work with community advisory councils, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to develop a transparent process for selecting a rider representative and recommend the staff and resources needed to ensure they can fully participate as a b oard member.

Supervisor Hahn made a pledge to ride Metro more often when she became Chair of the Metro Board of Directors in 2024. She continues to ride Metro to her Metro Board meetings.

Metro’s own public outreach found overwhelming support for rider representation.

Public Health Advises on Nationwide Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

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Public Health Advises on Nationwide Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

LOS ANGELES —The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is closely monitoring a domestically acquired multijurisdictional cyclosporiasis outbreak now under investigation by state and federal public health agencies. Although no cases linked to this outbreak have been identified in Los Angeles County at this time, Public Health is providing information to help the public reduce their risk of illness and recognize symptoms if they become infected.

In collaboration with the California Department of Public Health and federal public health partners, Public Health will continue monitoring for locally reported cyclosporiasis cases linked to this outbreak and will share updates with the public and healthcare providers as new information becomes available.

About Cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis is an illness that affects the intestines. It is caused by the tiny parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People can become infected with this parasite by eating fresh produce or other food items that are contaminated. It does not usually spread directly from one person to another.

Onset of symptoms typically begins about one week after exposure and can take 2-14 days to appear. Symptoms may include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or bloating, nausea, fatigue, and, in some cases, vomiting or low-grade fever.

Individuals should seek medical care if they develop prolonged diarrhea or other symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis, particularly after consuming fresh produce or returning from travel.

Ongoing U.S. Outbreak

Cases have been reported by 34 states. The highest number of cases have been reported in Michigan, New York and North Carolina, where thousands of collective cases have been reported. Michigan, for example, has reported more than 2,600 cases.

As of July 13, the Centers for Disease Control or CDC has received reports of 1,645 lab-confirmed cases in people who acquired cyclosporiasis in the United States, which is substantially higher than the 249 cases reported nationally by this same time last year.

Confirmed cases became sick after eating food in the United States and did not report any travel during the 14 days before they got sick. At this time, no common source has been identified and the investigation is ongoing, however the state of Michigan is focused on lettuce or salad greens as a potential source.

Reduce Your Risk of Foodborne Illness

Public Health recommends the following to reduce the risk of foodborne illness:

  • Wash hands thoroughly. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing or eating food and after using the toilet or changing diapers.
  • Wash produce properly. To avoid potentially contaminated food, thoroughly wash uncooked fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking them, even if they are labeled as pre-washed or will be peeled.
  • Prevent cross-contamination. Keep fresh produce separate from raw meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices during storage and preparation. Use clean cutting boards, utensils, and surfaces, and wash kitchen surfaces that come into contact with produce. Refrigerate perishable foods promptly.
  • Cook foods. Heat can kill the parasites so cook foods to at least 158°F (70°C) when possible.
  • Avoid water that may be contaminated. Do not drink water directly from streams, lakes, springs or swimming pools. If you must drink from these sources, make sure to boil water for at least one minute or to use a filter with a pore size of one micron or smaller.
  • Take extra care when traveling. When traveling to countries with poor water treatment or food sanitation, avoid raw fruits and vegetables, unboiled tap water, ice and food from street vendors.

LA County Improves Multilingual Public Access

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LA County Improves Multilingual Public Access

LOS ANGELES — The County of Los Angeles July 15 announced two significant accessibility upgrades to enhance public engagement and comply with government requirements: newly updated, Senate Bill 707 (SB 707)-compliant multilingual agenda webpages and the installation of public-facing digital screens in the board hearing room foyer. These improvements expand language accessibility, modernize public meeting tools, and make it easier for all county residents, regardless of their preferred language, to participate in meetings of the Board of Supervisors.

“Los Angeles County is home to people from every corner of the world, and no matter what language you speak, your County government should speak to you,” said Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Every resident deserves to know what we’re working on, understand the decisions we’re making, and have an opportunity to participate. These upgrades are another important step toward making County government more accessible, transparent, and more accountable to the people.”

The updated agenda webpage now provides dedicated access to board materials in the county’s three required threshold languages – Spanish, Tagalog, and Mandarin. Visitors can select direct language‑specific links to access translated meeting information, agenda materials, and related Board resources. For users whose preferred language is not one of the SB 707-required languages, the website continues to offer Google Translate for access in dozens of additional languages.

In addition, the county has deployed two new digital screens in the Board Hearing Room foyer in the Hall of Administration located in downtown Los Angeles. These screens automatically display weekly agendas – including supplemental items – in English and rotating translated languages (Spanish, Tagalog, and Mandarin). The system refreshes weekly and integrates QR codes for quick access to agenda materials.

Port of Los Angeles Records Best June Ever, Tops 1 Million Container Units

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Port of Los Angeles Records Best June Ever, Tops 1 Million Container Units

 

LOS ANGELES — Dockworkers at the Port of Los Angeles moved 1,002,734 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in June, making it the busiest June in the port’s 118-year history and the third time monthly cargo volume has ever exceeded 1 million container units. No other port in the Western Hemisphere has ever surpassed the 1 million container mark in a single month.

June cargo was 12% higher than a year ago, driven by strong import demand as retailers and manufacturers continued advancing shipments while navigating evolving trade policy, rising fuel costs and global supply chain uncertainty.

“Crossing the 1 million container mark for the third time and closing our fiscal year with more than 10.4 million TEUs are remarkable accomplishments,” said Executive Director Gene Seroka. “These milestones reflect the consistency of the Port of Los Angeles and the people who make them possible every day.

“We achieved these results without vessel backlogs or cargo delays,” Seroka added, “Thanks to the women and men of the ILWU, our terminal operators, truckers, rail partners and everyone across our supply chain whose professionalism and commitment continue to make Los Angeles the nation’s premier gateway.”

During the port’s monthly media briefing, Seroka said businesses continue adapting to an unusually dynamic trade environment by moving cargo whenever conditions are favorable rather than following traditional seasonal shipping patterns.

Joining Seroka for the briefing was Professor Douglas Irwin of Dartmouth College, one of the nation’s leading experts on international trade and U.S. trade policy. Irwin discussed the outlook for tariffs, global commerce and the broader forces shaping supply chain decisions.

WATCH BRIEFING HERE

Loaded imports reached 530,558 TEUs, an increase of 13% compared with last year and the port’s third-highest import month on record. Loaded exports totaled 126,365 TEUs, unchanged from a year ago. Empty containers came in at 345,811 TEUs, up 17% year over year as equipment returned to Asia to support continued demand.

During the first six months of 2026, the port handled 5,122,603 TEUs, 3% ahead of the same period last year.

In a Major Milestone, Watts Towers Arts Center Campus Improvements Move Forward

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In a Major Milestone, Watts Towers Arts Center Campus Improvements Move Forward

 

LOS ANGELES — July 15 brings a major milestone in the revitalization of the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Watts Towers Arts Center Campus or WTACC following the announcement of a $10.1 million investment from the Bezos Earth Fund. The investment, secured through a partnership with the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust or LANLT, completes funding for more than $22 million in improvements that advance Karen Mayor Bass’ commitment to expanding green space, strengthening climate resilience and investing in historically underserved communities.

The revitalized campus will add more than 30,000 square feet of usable park space, introduce new shade and cooling features, incorporate climate-resilient landscaping and create new opportunities for arts, recreation and community gathering.

Conceptual renderings are available here.

“The expanded revitalized campus will create welcoming spaces for local artists, performers, families, and visitors to gather and thrive,” said councilmember Tim McOsker. “This project represents an important investment in the Watts community and reflects our commitment to equitable development that will contribute to local economic growth and improve the quality of life for members of this historic community.”

The project is anticipated to be completed prior to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and will strengthen WTACC as a cultural and community hub for youth, artists, performers and visitors.

LANLT serves as project manager and developer, overseeing design and construction in partnership with city departments and community stakeholders, including the Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Recreation and Parks, General Services Department, Bureau of Engineering and Bureau of Contract Administration.

“By enhancing cultural spaces and expanding access to the arts, we are helping build a more connected cultural crescent that honors the history of Watts,” said Daniel Tarica, General Manager of the Department of Cultural Affairs. “The WTACC is an important cultural hub for our City, leading to, and through the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and beyond, and this project allows us to expand opportunity through arts and culture for the Watts community and South LA, and continue to foster a culture of civic pride and community through this remarkable public site.”

The revitalized campus will include:

  • Expanded green space with new shade features and climate-resilient landscaping
  • New recreational and gathering spaces, including walking paths, seating areas and interactive art elements
  • Enhanced arts and cultural spaces to expand educational programming, performances and community engagement
  • Improved public amenities, including LED lighting, drinking fountains, bike racks and additional site improvements

More Information About the Los Angeles County 2026 Assessment Roll

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More Information About the Los Angeles County 2026 Assessment Roll

 

See RLN Brief: “County Property Values Surpass $2.2 Trillion:” https://wp.me/p3AltZ-jUN

 

LOS ANGELES — The 2026 Assessment Roll for Los Angeles County reflects a 4.42% increase in value, resulting in the sixteenth consecutive year of growth. The gross assessed value reached $2.367 trillion, and the net taxable assessed value, after exemptions (charitable, homeowners, disabled veterans, etc.), is a record $2.272 trillion, which is $96 billion greater than 2025.

The Assessment Roll is the foundation of the County’s property tax system. Local property taxes generated based on the Assessment Roll are used to fund critical government services, including education, public safety, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements.

The 2026 Assessment Roll consists of 2,399,978 taxable real property parcels, 157,195 business property assessments, 31,938 boats, and 3,566 aircraft. Transfers of real estate (e.g. sales) were the largest contributor to the Assessment Roll increase at 2.17%. New construction also contributed 0.54% to the growth of the Roll. The annual inflation-adjusted trend (also known as the Consumer Price Index) added an additional 1.89%.

Included in the 2026 Assessment Roll are nearly $95 billion in total exemptions, translating to over $948 million in tax savings for Los Angeles County property owners at the 1% tax rate. This significant benefit includes approximately 15,000 institutional exemptions (church, religious, welfare) amounting to $87 billion, more than 9,100 disabled veterans’ exemptions totaling $1.6 billion, and approximately 891,000 homeowners’ exemptions providing over $6.3 billion in total reductions.

The majority of properties in Los Angeles County, approximately 2,250,000 parcels, will see an increased assessed value of only 2%, the annual inflation-adjusted trend, to account for inflation. This is consistent with Proposition 13 requirements, which limit increases to a property’s base value to the lesser of 2% or the actual change in the California Consumer Price Index (CPI). Exceptions to the CPI adjustment are properties that have experienced new construction or a change in ownership, and properties that previously received a temporary decline-in-value adjustment. Under Proposition 8, adopted by California voters in 1978, the Assessor is required to reduce a property’s assessment to fair market value when its market value declines below the previously established base year value adjusted by the annual inflation factor. Conversely, the Assessor is required to “restore” the trended base year value as market conditions improve.

In 2025, almost 16,000 properties were assessed below their trended base year values. After fourteen consecutive years of recovery, Proposition 8 decline-in-value assessments have stabilized at their pre-recession levels. In 2026, 0.66% of total real estate parcels, or just under 16,000 properties, continue to be assessed below their Proposition 13 trended base year value. The recovery and stabilization signal positive news for property owners, who are generally experiencing continued growth in their property values.

In order to create the 2026 Assessment Roll, the staff of the assessor’s office processed 220,000 deeds, assessed 105,000 transfers, enrolled over 32,000 new construction events, reviewed approximately 9,000 decline-in-value parcels, and prepared over 15,000 assessment appeals board cases. In the last year, assessor business personal property staff canvassed over 243,000 business locations and processed over 118,000 property statements.

Property owners who disagree with their new assessed value may file an assessment appeal application before the Nov. 30, 2026 deadline. Applications may be filed online at https://lacaab.lacounty.gov/Home.aspx.

 

2026 Assessment Roll Forecast

Summary

The 2026 assessment roll increased by 4.42% from the prior year.

Inflation Adjustment (CCPI)

The inflation adjustment remained one of the largest contributors to roll growth. This year, the California Consumer Price Index exceeded the maximum allowable 2% inflation factor, adding $43 billion to the 2026 assessment roll.

Property Transfers

Property transfers served as the largest contributor to the growth of the 2026 assessment roll. Single-family sales volume remained flat in 2025 compared to 2024. Home prices were also stable, with the median single-family home value reaching $982,000, a modest increase from the prior-year peak. The ongoing strength of the single-family market was tempered by significant losses in the downtown office market, with many properties losing more than 50% of their value upon sale. In total, transfers added more than $49 billion.

New Construction

Our Office continued to improve efficiency in enrolling new construction assessments. As a result, new construction added more than $12 billion to the 2026 assessment roll.

Personal Property & Fixtures

Our Office recently acquired new software to help identify taxable aircraft, discovering more than 1,000 aircraft that have escaped assessment. In addition, resilient consumer demand and GDP growth created an environment for ongoing acquisitions in personal property and fixtures. As a result, personal property and fixtures contributed more than $11 billion to the 2026 assessment roll.

Special Property Use Types

Special property use types include a range of uses such as oil refineries, mining rights, water rights, water distribution systems, possessory interests, and mobile homes. This component added over $1 billion to the 2026 assessment roll.

Decline-in-Value and Other Adjustments

Significant declines in value in the downtown office market resulted in lost assessed value. Additionally, our Office continued to identify victims of the 2025 wildfires who were eligible for assessment relief. Consequently, this component removed more than $9 billion from the 2026 assessment roll.

Details: Find a breakdown of all 88 cities and unincorporated areas. Their assessed value, number of homes, apartments, and commercial buildings at the below link:

2026 Roll Release – Memo Attachment 4 City Assessed Values_.pdf

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