A probe into the agreements made between Reedy Creek Improvement District and Disney by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has come up empty. The probe was ordered by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis after it was discovered that an agreement between Reedy Creek and Disney basically left the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District with very little power over the district. The agreement was made shortly before Governor DeSantis signed a law that gave him control over the district.
The request by Moody was filed on March 30 and the district determined “no records exist.” Moody sought “documents discussing an intention or goal of circumventing, avoiding, frustrating, mitigating or otherwise attempting to avoid the effects of anticipated actions by the Florida governor and the Florida Legislature.”
The agreement between Disney and Reedy Creek was signed on February 8, 2023. The new board for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has complained that this agreement has tied their hands and doesn’t allow them oversight of Disney at all.
Moody was seeking copies of emails, text messages and other correspondence from board members, district employees and other affiliates related to the deals. However, Reedy Creek appears to not have any. Reedy Creek board records show that public notice was provided for the meetings when the agreements were approved. Disney also released a statement saying that the deals with the district were “appropriate” and also done within the accordance of Florida law.
It is expected that the new board will be discussing this agreement and Moody’s probe into it in the next meeting on this coming Wednesday. The board will also be taking up a resolution that will declare themselves the “superior authority” on planning, zoning and land-development regulations over the Disney-controlled cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista.
The development comes as Governor DeSantis has threatened to tax Disney even more with toll roads and hotel taxes after the agreement was discovered. What the next steps will be by Disney or Florida governments is unknown. This doesn’t seem to be going away or getting any closer to being resolved, however. In a recent interview with Time, Disney CEO Bob Iger said he is open to speaking with DeSantis. This also remains to be seen if it will happen.
Daps Magic will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available. What do you think of this development? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
