TALLAHASSEE — An appeal court Monday dealt another blow to Pensacola Beach leaseholders and the ongoing effort to challenge Escambia County property taxes.

A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal took only five days to turn around a decision from oral arguments that were held last week. The judges upheld the Escambia County Circuit Judge Nick Geeker's November decision that about 40 commercial leaseholders on the beach must pay property taxes.

The ruling can be appealed to the state Supreme Court.

Monday's decision by the 1st District court is one among five ongoing court challenges to Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones levying property taxes on leaseholders since 2004. In April, Escambia County Circuit Judge Frank Bell ruled against Portofino Tower leaseholders.