The appropriate check-and-balance is the appeals process, but the Tribune report makes clear that system is also out-of-whack. It's used way too frequently: Appeals involving 370,000 parcels were conducted in 2015 alone, with reductions won 50 percent of the time. That process, too, is more likely to benefit the affluent because they are more likely to pursue an appeal, either independently or via an attorney. The assessor argues that appeals are a hallmark of fairness, and officials are aggressive about organizing workshops. Fine. But we see a much more appropriate goal for Berrios: Get more assessments right the first time.