Much has changed since the DeSantis-appointed Board of Supervisors took control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District — now called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Cinderella Castle
Longtime employees have left, operations have been amended, and most recently, employee Disney World Annual Pass benefits were replaced with a stipend. The park pass change follows the latest board meeting, where we also learned just how much they plan on budgeting to fight Disney in federal court.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board has had a lot on its plate since taking over responsibilities formerly held by Disney’s Reedy Creek Board. The board members are admittedly unfamiliar with many of the processes needed to keep the district running, as board member Martin Garcia confirmed in a September 27th board meeting to discuss the budget for Fiscal Year 2024.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream
“I don’t know what the process is, because this is all new to us,” said board chairman Martin Garcia after hearing a consultant’s analysis of the utilities agreement. Later during the meeting, the board unanimously voted to approve a $194.5 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
A portion of this money will go to maintaining roads, managing land and waterways, issuing permits, and more, but the district has also budgeted $4.5 million of that money for litigation.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board
This comes after the board has already spent $1.9 million on lawyers so far this year — most of which has gone to fighting Disney in court. Members said more money was needed for these legal battles.
However, when it comes to paving and repairing 134 miles of asphalt in the district, the budget was slashed by $3 million citing supply issues.
Walt Disney World roads
According to the Washington Post, experts say that DeSantis’ board lacks the experience to run a special tax district this large and contains the “world’s most popular theme park.” Chad Emerson, lawyer and business executive who authored a book on “Project Future,” said, “I think you have a bunch of novices trying to run a really complex operation.”
He continued, “Disney had 50 years or so of doing this and had figured out how to make it run and how to make the guest experience great. I don’t think these folks care much about the guest experience.”
Walt Disney World Railroad Main Street staiton
Instead, the board seems to be focusing its time on fighting legal battles, such as the federal lawsuit filed by Disney.
Disney is facing off with the district in two different lawsuits — one filed by Disney against members of the District Board of Supervisors and Governor Ron DeSantis in Federal Court, and another filed against Disney by the District Board in State Court. Both cases are ongoing.
Disney vs. DeSantis
We’ll keep an eye out for any updates, so stay tuned to DFB for more!
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So much for the Taxpayers not paying a Dime. 1.9 million plus another 4.5 million so far. In the end, it will probably cost twice as much, if not more, plus the payout when they lose to Disney in court. Disney has deep pockets that can easily outspend the new board and will prevail in the end. Nice going, Ronnie. All this because you had your feelings hurt and like a child, you’re having a tantrum.
The government can’t run anything. We’ve only just seen the beginning of how bad the new board will run things. Unfortunately the guests will be the ones most impacted. RCID was a benchmark of how to manage an area. This new board is a political joke.
Does this mean they are using Disney money, to fight Disney in court?
Wonder if Ronny will pull a Trump and use party funds to pay for his legal bills.