Am I the only one who thinks property tax assessments are utterly inconsistent?

I just got my annual assessment notice and the increase is ABSURD compared to my neighbors with similar homes. The county's method seems completely arbitrary, with no clear explanation for the disparities. I'm tempted to appeal, but the process looks like a bureaucratic maze that could drag on for months. Has anyone successfully challenged their assessment without hiring a pricey consultant? I'd love some practical steps to navigate this FRUSTRATING system.