News Reedy Creek Improvement District and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

[Brian]

Well, the other thing he could have done differently is not called the special session to do this very thing. And by the FL constitution, the legislature can only address items in the special session that are in the Governor's proclamation.

So he had that extra legal hand in it that wouldn't have been there if this had been done in general session.

Agreed, but if we're talking about what the state might argue, they would likely say something to the effect of: "The legislature was under no obligation to produce a bill during the special session. They chose to do so."

As I said, it's a stretch of an argument, but they've got to come up with something.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Oh lord…these people don’t know when to shut it and lay low, do they?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

How much if you don’t mind me asking do DVC members typically pay RCID in taxes? This is a great point to bring up that I’m surprised no one has brought to the board yet. Speaking at the meeting is easy, just fill out a quick form, and it’s fine right at the start of the meeting so you don’t have to sit through all the boring stuff after if you don’t want to.

Almost nothing

It’s Florida…it’s the SALES tax that disney generates that pays for the awful infrastructure

 

[drnilescrane]

How much if you don’t mind me asking do DVC members typically pay RCID in taxes? This is a great point to bring up that I’m surprised no one has brought to the board yet. Speaking at the meeting is easy, just fill out a quick form, and it’s fine right at the start of the meeting so you don’t have to sit through all the boring stuff after if you don’t want to.

Found the 2022 condo association report for BLT, I assume the others are identical.

https://cdn2.parksmedia.wdprapps.disney.com/media/dvc/members/condo-association/2022FinalMailersforwebsitewithoutCoverLetter_2022CondoNoticeBLT.pdf

The amount of ad valorem taxes assessed against each Unit will be determined by the Orange County Property Appraiser’s Office and the Reedy Creek Improvement District Appraiser, respectively. The estimated ad valorem tax assessments to be included on your 2023 Annual Dues billing statement will be $1.7648 per Vacation Point. This is DVCM’s best estimate of the actual taxes, which will be assessed for the tax year 2023. DVCM does not certify this ad valorem tax estimate. Each Owner is responsible for his or her per Vacation Point share of the actual tax bill received each year from the tax collector’s office. Any difference between the tax estimate and actual taxes paid on the Owner’s behalf will be applied towards the Owner’s subsequent year’s tax assessment.

OC Millage is about 4.43. RCID is 13.57.

So about 68% of that $1.7648 per point is going to RCID, assuming I'm understanding how this works correctly.

Which would mean the average 150 point contract holder is indirectly paying RCID about $180 in taxes.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

also notable... that amended memo was signed the morning of Apr 19th... the same morning the session was to start. Seems totally slimly

And aligns perfectly with his book passage where he wrote about how it was important that nobody knew they were doing this and needed the element of surprise on their side.

 

[GBAB1973]

Here's an article about that.

"Florida’s Attorney General doesn’t understand why Ron DeSantis is a defendant in Disney’s lawsuit against the state.

In comments made on Fox & Friends, Ashley Moody said she was stumped about why DeSantis was named, even though the Governor has spent weeks trashing and targeting the entertainment company in speech after speech.

She suggested that even though the Governor signed legislation changing Disney’s special district, he somehow wasn’t responsible.

“You know, it was the Florida Legislature and the Central Florida Oversight Board (SIC) that took actions that effectively eliminated special privileges or a self-governing authority of Disney,” Moody said.

“So it puzzled me, and you wonder if it was an attempt by Disney, maybe to put pressure on this Governor to shut him up, to make him stop talking about these privileges or maybe stop talking about their change in approach to kids,” she speculated, referring to the company opposing 2022’s Parental Rights in Education law."

Full article below.

Ashley Moody ‘puzzled’ by Disney naming Ron DeSantis in its lawsuit against the state

The AG said Disney was putting 'pressure on this Governor to shut him up.'

floridapolitics.com

LOL.

I can also guarantee this won't be the craziest commentary that comes from the DeSantis camp over the next few weeks/months.

 

[mightynine]

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors have scheduled a special meeting for this Monday, May 1.

Here's the only item currently listed for new business -

4.1 Board discussion and direction to litigation counsel and authorization to defend District officials sued in official capacities.

https://www.rcid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/05-01-23-BOS-Agenda-FINAL.pdf

The Per Diem Posse looking to get in as many paydays as possible?

 

[GBAB1973]

However, the AG running her mouth isn't good. We're not talking about some press person...she's the chief legal officer of the state.

As someone said, they are laying the groundwork on making claims that DeSantis wasn't the entity that actually made the changes. First, they will go on a media blitz. Watch other DeSantis minions make similar claims on right wing outlets. You'll possibly see some op-eds in the WSJ, etc. also try to make similar claims. Then they will show up in court and try to make a legal argument that he's not party to the suit.

They have to do this because DeSantis was an arrogant fool by continually bragging that he took on Disney himself. I mean he wasn't even vague about it, he was pretty clear he did this.

Also going to be quite the campaign issue............. he's going to want to run on him being the guy that took it to Disney but his legal team is going to be arguing that he can't be a defendant because he had nothing to do with the legislature reshaping the district via legislation.

 

[Heppenheimer]

I may go to this since I will be at The Boardwalk. I hope many DVC Owners go and complain they want us to pay for their illegal Board.

Oh, I would love to see that.

 

[RamblinWreck]

As someone said, they are laying the groundwork on making claims that DeSantis wasn't the entity that actually made the changes. First, they will go on a media blitz. Watch other DeSantis minions make similar claims on right wing outlets. You'll possibly see some op-eds in the WSJ, etc. also try to make similar claims. Then they will show up in court and try to make a legal argument that he's not party to the suit.

They have to do this because DeSantis was an arrogant fool by continually bragging that he took on Disney himself. I mean he wasn't even vague about it, he was pretty clear he did this.

Also going to be quite the campaign issue............. he's going to want to run on him being the guy that took it to Disney but his legal team is going to be arguing that he can't be a defendant because he had nothing to do with the legislature reshaping the district via legislation.

I seem to recall him getting in front of cameras and telling everyone what he was going to direct the legislature to do in regards to the “11th hour” contracts between RCID and Disney.

 

[mkt]

Just a thought. Now would be the perfect time for WDW to sell US constitution popcorn buckets at American Adventure and Liberty Square.

 

[JohnD]

Correct. The regular session was scheduled to begin the following month. This bill could have been handled during then. But then it would have been lost in the noise of all the other bills.

@JohnD, do you ever remember any special session so close to the start of regular session? Especially once the governor submitted his budget?

Not that I recall.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

How much if you don’t mind me asking do DVC members typically pay RCID in taxes?

I'm not sure they tell us.

Saratoga Springs, for example, is estimated to be $1.36 of property taxes per point in 2023 (with most contracts being around 200 points), so call it $272 in 2023. But that's Orange County and Reedy Creek combined.

 

[Brian]

she's an attorney?

Yes. That's generally considered by the electorate to be a prerequisite to becoming Attorney General.

 

[Brian]

From Orlando Business Journal:​

​

DeSantis vs. Disney: New board voids agreement; to raise taxes on Disney Springs tenants to fund ongoing feud​

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2023/04/26/florida-desantis-disney-springs-business-taxes.html

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board during its April 26 meeting said it plans to raise taxes within the district — which will affect Disney Springs tenants — to fund Gov. Ron DeSantis' ongoing legal battle with Disney (NYSE: DIS).

The board heard concerns from numerous small business operators inside Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs mixed-use dining, entertainment and retail destination.

The new board, which was appointed by DeSantis as part of his ongoing feud with Disney, has many restaurateurs, attraction operators and shop owners worried about what is in their future in terms of new costs or impacts to their employees. Owners of Wine Bar George, T-Rex Cafe, The Boathouse, Splitsville, Basin and more all shared their thoughts on the ongoing feud between Central Florida’s theme park giant and the state.

For example, Wine Bar George Owner and Master Sommelier George Miliotes raised concerns about any costs or new policies the district may implement that can affect his business and workers.

Shawna Heninger, president of Retail Concepts of Minnesota which operates Basin bath and hair/body care shop, expressed worry about how past comments by DeSantis on the idea of installing tolls on property would affect her business and employees.

“I’m all for things being fair and equitable. It frustrates me if I am placed in an inequitable position tax-wise based on my peers in other places in Orlando,” Heninger told Orlando Business Journal. She said the company has closed stores in other states due to high taxes and she fears the Disney Springs store could see the same fate if costs become too high.

Board Chair Martin Garcia told the speakers he understands the importance of small businesses. “I promise you … we hear you loud and clear,” he told the business owners.

However, Garcia later in the meeting said the increased legal costs the district took on as part of its feud with Disney means it will have to raise funds through higher district taxes.

“Disney picked the fight with this board … our lawyers have told us is — factually and legally — what they created is an absolute legal mess. It will not work … we had to hire lawyers to evaluate these 11th-hour agreements … That’s going to cost us money, and because that’s going to cost us money, we are going to have to raise taxes,” he said.

 

[Lilofan]

Just a thought. Now would be the perfect time for WDW to sell US constitution popcorn buckets at American Adventure and Liberty Square.

Get DeSantis team CFTOD to sign the popcorn buckets and some can have a popcorn bucket burning party.

 

[JohnD]

News links from Sayfie Review, Florida's version of The Drudge Report.

My News 13: Disney sues DeSantis, alleging 'targeted campaign of government retaliation'

Politico: 'Weaponizing its power': Disney accuses DeSantis of retaliation in federal lawsuit

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FlaPol: Ron DeSantis highlights Disney fight in Jerusalem

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FlaPol: Nikki Haley invites Disney to move to South Carolina

FlaPol: Ron DeSantis super PAC slams Nikki Haley's attempt to lure Disney

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Herald Tribune: Top Florida Republican votes against DeSantis' latest Disney bill as feud strains GOP

FlaPol: You've got a friend? Joe Gruters sides with Disney, bucks Ron DeSantis on land-use powers

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FlaPol: DeSantis ally in talks to become Disney World government's district administrator

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Times: DeSantis-appointed board voids Disney districts previous agreements

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CBS Miami: Florida Senate backs nullifying Disney agreements

 

[Chi84]

As someone said, they are laying the groundwork on making claims that DeSantis wasn't the entity that actually made the changes. First, they will go on a media blitz. Watch other DeSantis minions make similar claims on right wing outlets. You'll possibly see some op-eds in the WSJ, etc. also try to make similar claims. Then they will show up in court and try to make a legal argument that he's not party to the suit.

They have to do this because DeSantis was an arrogant fool by continually bragging that he took on Disney himself. I mean he wasn't even vague about it, he was pretty clear he did this.

Also going to be quite the campaign issue............. he's going to want to run on him being the guy that took it to Disney but his legal team is going to be arguing that he can't be a defendant because he had nothing to do with the legislature reshaping the district via legislation.

I think what they might be doing is trying to build an argument that the legislation was necessary to re-examine and possibly change some special districts that pre-dated the 1968 Florida constitution.

In order to uphold a law that negatively impacts a party’s constitutional rights, the government has to establish that there was a substantial public purpose along with some other elements.

It goes without saying that a governor’s political vendetta is not an allowable purpose, so they are probably trying to divorce him from the legislative action.

He can say the legislature made the decision, Disney fought it, and he’s trying to uphold the will of the people.

Just speculation on why she said what she did. Given the facts of this case, I don’t think the state will prevail on this argument.

 

[flynnibus]

He can say the legislature made the decision, Disney fought it, and he’s trying to uphold the will of the people.

Just speculation on why she said what she did. Given the facts of this case, I don’t think the state will prevail on this argument.

will it help if they keep chanting 'we the people' in all of their defenses ?

 

[tissandtully]

Board Chair Martin Garcia told the speakers he understands the importance of small businesses. “I promise you … we hear you loud and clear,” he told the business owners.

Doubt