WEST VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Taxpayers in the district of West Vancouver will have to cough up about a $1 million for properties owned by BC Ferries.

A Property Assessment Appeal Board ruling is forcing the district to pay back property tax revenue over the last three years.

“The situation is absurd and completely ridiculous,” notes West Vancouver mayor Michael Smith. “Instead of paying their fair share of taxes, they’re paying nothing.”

He’s shocked an appeal board has ruled two properties at the Horseshoe Bay terminal — which were once assessed at about $47 million combined — are now worth $10 each. That means taxpayers will have to pay for services provided there over the last three years.

“People who live an work in the community, including BC Ferries, we provide them with police and fire and parks and all the other services that everybody in the municipality enjoys,” says Smith.

He fears the same thing will happen in other communities with BC Ferries terminals.

The district will appeal this decision.