The conclusion of a 8 year old property assessment battle between the city of Niagara Falls and the casinos has left Niagara on the hook for $16 million.

Mayor Jim Diodati says it's disappointing but the assessment appeal went the way of the casinos and they're calling it the end of the road.

With the appeal stretching back to 2004, Diodati says to continue to battle it in courts would be "tax payer money to fight taxpayer money to decide how we're going to dispense taxpayer money."

Diodati says everyone is going to have to chip in to make up for the shortfall, with the breakdown looking at $5.5 million from the city, region and school board.

He says at this point it's about stopping the bleeding and trying to move forward.