State gives notice to take over Disney’s Reedy Creek District
The Florida State Legislature this spring will take up legislation to deal with the future of Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District that came under fire from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last year after Disney came out against his “Don’t Say Gay” law.
According to a notice posted on the Osceola County website a notice “is hereby given of intent to seek legislation before the Florida Legislature, during a regular, extended, or special session, of an act relating to the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Orange and Osceola Counties.”
Reedy Creek Improvement District was created in 1967 by a special Act of the Florida Legislature and signed into law by then Gov. Claude Kirk, to an area encompassiong Disney World and neighborhing prooperties to support and administer certain aspects of environmental protections, economic development and tourism and provide essential public services within District boundaries.
Reedy Creek is overseen by a five-member Board of Supervisors that are elected by property owners, but since Disney owns most of the last Disney selects those who sit on the board.
After Disney came out against the law last year — stating “Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that.” — DeSantis fought back stating it was time to get rid of the Reedy Creek District in an attempt to get back at Disney.
The entire process dealing with the Reedy Creek District has turned into political theater for DeSantis who has been using it to stoke his base.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, a bill hasn’t been filed in the Legislature. The notice was posted as a courtesy to state Rep. Fred Hawkins’ office, county spokesman Mark Pino said.
According to the notice, the purpose of the legislation is to remove and revise the powers of the District and do the following:
- Increase state oversight, accountability, and transparency of the District
- Revise the selection process, membership qualifications, and compensation for the governing body of the District
- Ensure debts and bond obligations held by the District remain with the District and are not transferred to other governments by retaining the District’s authority related to indebtedness and taxation
- Revise the District’s authority over local permitting and regulation
- Revise the District’s regulatory framework and structure, instituting reporting requirements, including a review of the District’s remaining powers; describe the District boundaries and name
- Revise exceptions to general law and certain special acts
- Remove duplicative provisions
- Make conforming changes
- Create an exception to general law
- Provide an effective date
