Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board chairman, Martin Garcia, has made it clear that he views Disney as an adversary. In a letter to the editor that was sent to the Orlando Sentinel, Garcia said that the board on which he sits “recognizes that it is up against a corporate behemoth.”
The letter to the editor comes as the district passed a new initiative, lowering property tax rates and cutting law enforcement overtime for Walt Disney World Resort, the district’s biggest resident. The city councils for Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista then countered the move by raising their property taxes to pay for the security services that the district cut.
Garcia maintains that the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is “essential as an independent and honest broker” and accuses Disney of “undue influence over many businesses in the district.” He commits to the district ultimately bringing “independence, fairness, and transparency” to the former Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The Feud
The Feud Origins
What isn’t taken into consideration, however, is the lawsuit that is currently making its way through a federal court that could revert the district back to its former self. This lawsuit was brought by Disney against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other Florida leaders, including the board. It accuses Governor DeSantis and company of retaliating against Disney because it took a position against Florida legislation. After Disney spoke out, Governor DeSantis began attacking “woke Disney,” saying “there’s a new sheriff in town.” Eventually, he led a campaign to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District and then replace it with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and a board of directors personally picked by the Governor.
Development Agreement
While Governor DeSantis was moving to dissolve and replace the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney continued to move forward and work with what was in place. This included making a development agreement with the district that set the path for decades to come. It also restricted the powers of the incoming district. The new district board and Governor discovered this agreement weeks after the new district was put into place. This led to even more controversy, with the Governor pushing through legislation to nullify the development agreement. Once the board nullified the agreement, after the legislation was signed by the Governor, Disney then brought its lawsuit against the involved parties. Along with saying the actions were retaliatory and a violation of Disney’s free speech, it also accuses Governor DeSantis of weaponizing government.
A Countersuit
The lawsuit is one of two regarding this situation currently in court. Along with the federal lawsuit, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District also brought a counter lawsuit at the state level against Disney. It accuses Disney of pushing the development agreement under a shroud of secrecy and failing to give proper notice. However, all public evidence is to the contrary.
The Legal Fight Continues
Both court cases are currently making their way through pre-trial motions at this point. Governor DeSantis has filed a motion to dismiss the Disney lawsuit, which Disney opposes. Disney has filed a motion to dismiss the state lawsuit, which has been denied. A group of journalists have asked to file a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Disney’s federal case. The federal lawsuit will supersede any decision made at the state level and conceivably leave the state case null and void depending on the determination. Daps Magic has put together a look at the facts regarding this feud that can be read here.
A New Standard Bearer?
As things move forward, the main focal point of the feud appears to be centering on the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. As Governor DeSantis increasingly focuses on his presidential aspirations, Disney appears to be not as big of a talking point for him currently. However, this could change at any given day. For now, Martin Garcia and the board for the district continue their efforts at a local level.
Letter to the Editor
Martin Garcia’s full letter to the editor can be read here:
Last week, the new board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District proposed providing economic relief to residents by cutting property tax rates — an action that would have been possible because of the elimination of government waste and abuse. The following day, however, the city councils of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista surprisingly voted to raise property tax rates in order to continue paying the bills for security services used by Disney. The CFTOD board remains convinced that a multibillion-dollar corporation is more than able to cover this cost.
This peculiar, though not wholly unexpected, development makes it that much more apparent why the new CFTOD board is essential as an independent and honest broker. Until the new board was appointed, Disney enjoyed undue influence over many businesses in the district. It further unduly influences city council members, who rent their homes from Disney.
The CFTOD board recognizes that it is up against a corporate behemoth. But it will not be deterred from serving as a champion for all constituents in the district by finally bringing independence, fairness and transparency to the district.
Martin Garcia Tampa
Martin Garcia is the chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
