CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- An appeals court ruling could leave taxpayers in Charlotte footing the bill for cameras which catch drivers running red lights.

The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled in a case from High Point that the city must pay almost all of its profits to the school district.

An assistant city attorney said Tuesday afternoon that the ruling would leave Charlotte owing money to the contractor who operates the system.

That could force the city to make up the difference with tax money.