Things have already happened. The legislature has also been increasingly deferential and there is nothing to suggest that they will oppose this plan. Even if the end result is the status quo getting there will come with a cost.
It’s a fair argument to just dissolve RCID (and by extension any other special district) altogether and let Disney operate like any other corporation in the state. If that was done then the services provided by RCID today to WDW would be absorbed by the local counties just like they are for Sea World or Universal. Disney may get a large tax break out of it but the local taxpayers would suffer and services would be reduced for everyone.
So why not get rid of all of the similar districts? It seems you don’t actually understand how the District and many others operate.
As a paying guest most will blame Disney. They won’t understand the difference. That’s the reason Disney is willing to pay more taxes to keep control. The narrative that somehow RCID helps Disney pay less in taxes is completely false as well as the narrative that they somehow use the district to avoid zoning/code enforcement. The biggest benefit to Disney is they control the quality of services provided and they avoid the bureaucracy of waiting for the local county to “get around“ to stuff. They can also finance projects using municipal debt and pay for them over years through tax payments.
www.orlandosentinel.com
Probably also why there is no plan made public.
RCID was an all powerful self governing district that TWDC fully controlled.Help me understand what I’m reading in this article about the Brightline railway. Specifically, there is a line in this article that states this:
“Universal would also be in control of a proposed special taxing district that will build and operate a SunRail station at the Orange County Convention Center.”
How is that any different from the Reedy Creek district/control?
Article here:
Brightline plan is short one passenger — Disney | Editorial
Brightline trains will arrive on the Central Florida stage sometime this year, with service linking South Florida to the Orlando International Airport — and a plan that would extend service t…
They are very similar but a community development district does not have quite the same set of powers and authority as the Reedy Creek Improvement District. More notable powers that CDDs lack is being a provider of electricity (they don't get nuke plants) and they do not enforce the building code. Part of the reason though that Reedy Creek Improvement District has these powers is because they have been delegated to the District by its constituent municipalities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista.Help me understand what I’m reading in this article about the Brightline railway. Specifically, there is a line in this article that states this:
“Universal would also be in control of a proposed special taxing district that will build and operate a SunRail station at the Orange County Convention Center.”
How is that any different from the Reedy Creek district/control?
Article here:
Brightline plan is short one passenger — Disney | Editorial
Brightline trains will arrive on the Central Florida stage sometime this year, with service linking South Florida to the Orlando International Airport — and a plan that would extend service t…
Having the authority to pave roads, generate electricity, pick up trash and treat wastewater is all powerful ????? You and I have a different definition. In my dreams when I become the all powerful king of the world I don't plan to concern myself with any of that stuff
In Married to the Mouse I recall Foglesong describing some issue regarding bonds where there was a limit on how much could be issued so the Reedy Creek Improvement District was competing with and winning against other local governments. But like a lot of his arguments, the root problem seemed to be that Reedy Creek Improvement District was too well funded and efficient, so you get the unintentional argument for lower standards instead of raising them. I'm also guessing that we would also find that the Reedy Creek Improvement District was not the only special district eligible to participate in these bonds.
Members of the RCID board of supervisors have close associations with Disney. Disney picks who is a resident of the district. TWDC effectively controls RCID.
One nice park some of the Reedy Creek folks have is some of them live in manufactured homes at WDW in a gated area. It is a non descript road across from Saratoga Springs.
I think the nuance that is missing is that RCID was granted those “powers” because there was a real need. Is there another landowner in the state who would actually want a version of RCID over their land? I can’t say no for sure, but most businesses would want nothing to do with that.
Yes, there are other landowners who do get this sort of arrangement of paying county taxes and then paying additional district taxes for a variety of services. This is exactly what is done with community development districts.I think the nuance that is missing is that RCID was granted those “powers” because there was a real need. Is there another landowner in the state who would actually want a version of RCID over their land? I can’t say no for sure, but most businesses would want nothing to do with that.
State: Hey XYZ company we want to create a special district which will cover your utility and EMS services and will pave the public roads that happen to cross through your property.
XYZ: aren’t those services already covered by the local taxes that I pay?
State: yes, but now they will be covered by a special district that you (as the only taxpayer) will pay for
XYZ: OK, so I will see a reduction in my other real estate taxes paid then?
State: oh no, you will pay the same amount and then pay an extra assessment on top of your regular taxes
XYZ: say what????? Disney can keep their “advantage” I’m good
But do they pay for EMS services and road paving and utilities. I can see a development district specific for something they deem to benefit their business like the recently mentioned train station for Universal, but how many districts just cover basic services like RCID?
