Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney have been involved in an ongoing battle for quite some time now, and it’s only getting started. Between opposing lawsuits, district board member shakeups, and voided agreements, there’s a lot to keep up with.
Cinderella Castle
Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and the new board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (previously known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District). Later, in a District board meeting on May 1st, members announced that the board would be suing Disney. Now that the board has held another meeting, we’ve got a better idea of what might be coming next.
In case you missed it, Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and the new board, which alleges that Disney’s First Amendment rights were violated, with Disney claiming the Governor has waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney.” In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for DeSantis said that Disney seeks to “undermine the will of the Florida voters.”
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
Then, at a CFTOD board meeting on May 1st, the board announced that they’d be filing their own suit against Disney. The lawsuit says, “In an effort to stymie Florida’s elected representatives, Disney covertly cobbled together a series of eleventh-hour deals with its soon-to-be-replaced puppet government.” This is likely referring to the agreement that the old district board created before the new board took over, including the King Charles clause.
Reedy Creek
That suit has since been filed, and it looks like the board has more plans. A May 10th meeting was held, and the agenda listed “Ratify actions taken at May 1, 2023 Special Meeting of the Board.” Here’s what we know.
Independent Third-Party Rate Consultant
Prior to the nullification of a previous agreement between Disney and the old board, the Walt Disney Company had the ability to set its own utility rates. When the new CFTOD board took over, board members agreed to bring in an advisor to assess the situation and examine the utility rates within the District.
During the recent board meeting on May 10th, the Board announced plans to further examine utility rates and agreed to hire a consulting firm called Raftelis as their utility rate consultant. The motion to hire the rate consultant was approved unanimously.
Magic Kingdom
The rate consultant will be tasked with advising the District on power purchase agreements, proposed utility rates, and rate structures. Board members explained that hiring a rate consultant is just one “example” of how the current Board is functioning differently than the old Board, with the new Board acting as an “independent government agency” that “protects all taxpayers within the District.”
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board
District Board Chair Martin Garcia stated that “the mission of this Board is to do more for more people.” Going forward, we will keep our eyes out for information on how this could impact utility rates in the District.
New District Administrator
Former Reedy Creek District Administrator John H. Classe, Jr. has been replaced by Glenton Gilzean. Gilzean reportedly has ties to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and has been called a “supporter of Gov. DeSantis, who has appointed him to several other positions, including the Florida Commission on Ethics,” per a WESH news report.
Gilzean previously acted as a CEO in Central Florida, served as a school board member in Pinellas County, and was described by the Board as a “wise and competent businessman.”
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board
As District Administrator, Gilzean stated, “My job is to make this district and, in turn, this region, a better place.” The Board explained that after looking at other special districts and considering comparable positions, Gilzean will earn a $400,000 annual salary.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board
The Board also highlighted its plans to bring on an independent urban planner to potentially help the District create more affordable workforce housing.
Reedy Creek Improvement District
Per Gilzean’s comments, many employees in the District live at or below the poverty line, so the new District Administrator wants to tackle affordable housing under the consideration of a fiscal impact study. As one example, Gilzean stated that the Board could potentially take a different position on prior lawsuits that Disney filed regarding property tax valuations.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board
In reference to his plans, Gilzean said, “Mr. Walt Disney’s goal was to build a city of tomorrow; the new leadership of this Board is dedicated to doing just that.”
Partners Statue in Disney World
The Board also agreed to appoint former District Administrator John H. Classe as the special advisor to the board of supervisors after thanking him for his service as District Administrator.
Lobbyists Resolution
Additionally, the Board discussed resolution No. 641 on lobbyist rules. The resolution was designed to create a uniform process for lobbyists to register and create a policy for monitoring and regulating lobbyist activities within the District.
The Board defined a lobbyist as a “person who gets compensated to try and effect an outcome.” It was noted that lobbyists will not include union members, small business owners in the District who want to discuss changes with the Board, and certain others.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board
With this change, lobbyists must register with the District, and there will be specific blackout periods for some lobbying activities. That resolution was passed unanimously.
Fire Prevention Code and Rule Enforcement
©WFTV 9
Welcome to Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom entrance
The battle between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is far from over, and we’re keeping an eye out for more updates. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest.
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So, they’re hiring a “supporter” of the Governor with no municipal, land use, regulatory, housing, or economic development experience for $400,000 a year?
So how is paying someone $400,000 for this role helping the taxpayers of Florida? DeSantis has an interesting way of following the will of the voters. The expenses being incurred legally and now for salaries are completely irresponsible. He’s a miserable leader and more importantly a miserable human being.
So Desantis’ hand pciked board is vastly increasing the number of highly paid civil servants in the former Ready Creek district. Exactly how does anyone believe that Desantis is a conservative any more?
If I were there, the questions I would want an answer to would be;
Where did the statistics come from that support the statement “… many employees in the District live at or below the poverty line,” ?
a!so,
If “at or below the poverty line” how are they managing to live there if that is such an issue?
Sounds to me like that the district has or doesn’t need the “low income housing” that the director seems to think that is needed. The RCID showed how they can run and maintain it.. Yes, Disney is making billions (only a percentage coming from Central Florida). They also invest billions. Will the state be able to come close to paying for the maintenance of the district at the level the RCID has maintained for over 50+ years? Without expecting Disney to be a part of that?
I’ll say once again, “If you listen to someone long enough, they will tell you EXACTLY WHO they are.” Improvement District vs. Oversight District. That told me who “they are” compared to who preceded them.
Could someone check and let us know if the Desantis board is squatting in the Reedy Creed building. I was under impression that Disney owned that building and paid the Utility and Taxes on it. Did they arrogantly just walk in and sit down or did they have all the bill change over to their name and they are paying. Oh so sorry the “people of Florida”. I read a lot about them having meeting and all the rules they hope to put in place but are they legally in that building or are they just illegal squatters.
“independent government agency” IS AN OXYMORON