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

[mikejs78]

Based upon Article VII, Section 9(b), millage rate for CFTOD is whatever the "electors who are owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation" agree to by voting approval thereof.

Last I checked, there was no proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution on the ballot in either 2020 or 2022 modifying any portion of ARTICLE VII, Section 9(b).

You're right of course. However the new law that created CFTOD seems to forget about that provision:

Section 24. Ad valorem taxes.—The board of supervisors shall have the
power to levy and assess an ad valorem tax on all the taxable real and
tangible personal property in the district to pay the principal of and interest
on any general obligation bonds of the district, to provide for any sinking or
other funds established in connection with any such bonds, and to finance
and defray the cost of any of the projects or activities of the district
authorized by the provisions of this act or under law, provided that the
district’s ad valorem taxing authority shall be limited to serving or
benefitting the property owners of the district. The total amount of such
ad valorem taxes levied in any year shall not be in excess of 30 mills on the
dollar per annum on the assessed value of the taxable property within the
district. The ad valorem tax provided for herein shall be in addition to county
and municipal ad valorem taxes provided for by law.

My guess is that whenever the board decides to raise their tax rate, Disney will sue.

 

[LAKid53]

My guess is that whenever the board decides to raise their tax rate, Disney will sue.

Technically the Board should have put that drop in millage before "electors who are owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation".

Moat property owners wouldn't object.

Not the first time the Florida Constitution has been conveniently ignored.

 

[Stripes]

Based upon Article VII, Section 9(b), millage rate for CFTOD is whatever the "electors who are owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation" agree to by voting approval thereof.

RCID was created before this amendment was added. The landowners never approved the millage rate.

Dropped it from 19 to 12.95

The current CFTOD millage rate is 12.95 mills. But it certainly wasn’t 19 mills when the new board took over.

 

[LAKid53]

RCID was created before this amendment was added. The landowners never approved the millage rate

The amendment would apply, no matter when a district was created. Going forward, any changes to millage must be approved per the provisions of Section 9(b). There's no exclusionary language in the section with regards to establishment.

The current CFTOD millage rate is 12.95 mills. But it certainly wasn’t 19 mills when the new board took over

Thanks for catching my typo...it was 13.9. But the new Board did drop the millage.

 

[Stripes]

The amendment would apply, no matter when a district was created. Going forward, any changes to millage must be approved per the provisions of Section 9(b). There's no exclusionary language in the section with regards to establishment.

Not true.

However, independent special district millage authorized as of the date the 1968 State Constitution became effective need not be so approved, pursuant to s. 2, Art. XII of the State Constitution.

And from the Florida Constitution:

Ad valorem taxing power vested by law in special districts existing when this revision becomes effective shall not be abrogated by Section 9(b) of Article VII herein, but such powers, except to the extent necessary to pay outstanding debts, may be restricted or withdrawn by law.

Thanks for catching my typo...it was 13.9. But the new Board did drop the millage.

Yes they dropped the millage, but only because property values in the district increased more than expenses.

CFTOD is collecting more property taxes than when the RCID board was in power.

 

[Just JBC]

Yes they dropped the millage, but only because property values in the district increased more than expenses.

CFTOD is collecting more property taxes than when the RCID board was in power.

Is that based on the actual or projected property values? Because doesn't Disney (and other theme parks) in Florida sue almost/every year to lower the property value?

I wondered when they announced the lower millage if it would come back to bit them if/when the property values were lowered, but I never looked into it.

 

[Stripes]

Is that based on the actual or projected property values? Because doesn't Disney (and other theme parks) in Florida sue almost/every year to lower the property value?

I wondered when they announced the lower millage if it would come back to bit them if/when the property values were lowered, but I never looked into it.

It’s based on the latest property tax assessment by the counties. Every year, RCID/CFTOD sets aside millions in property taxes so they can give Disney a refund when they inevitably sue the county property tax assessors (and often win).

 

[flynnibus]

Is that based on the actual or projected property values? Because doesn't Disney (and other theme parks) in Florida sue almost/every year to lower the property value?

I wondered when they announced the lower millage if it would come back to bit them if/when the property values were lowered, but I never looked into it.

Challenges to property assessments have nothing to do with the milage rate.

They already knew what assessments were going to be when they set the milage rate. Things get done in that order County sets assessments. Taxing authorities set their tax rate based on what they want their revenue to be based on the assessments. Tax payers see bill.

 

[celluloid]

Ron Desantis took a visit to Universal yesterday. Just thought I would cast that out there.

 

[C.Witch]

Here's a portion of an interview with Glen Gilzean and Greg Angel from Spectrum News 13, which hits on his employment with the CFTOD. The full thread can be found at this link.

Why is this guy willing to take a 50% pay cut for this job?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Why is this guy willing to take a 50% pay cut for this job?

There are... advantages... to being in control of the enrolled voter rosters and the elections themselves if one were to... advantage one's own political party during an important election. So, maybe that's his interest. Or not. Just speculating as much as the no politics rule would allow. A good question to ask him.

 

[DCBaker]

Martin Garcia is reportedly out at the CFTOD.

"ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees continued Wednesday with the departure of its board chairman who had been highly critical of Disney.

Martin Garcia’s departure as chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is coming a week after the district’s administrator, Glen Gilzean, left to accept an appointment by DeSantis as interim elections supervisor in Orange County, the home of Orlando, at half his district’s $400,000 salary.

Martin didn’t respond to an email seeking comment on Wednesday.

In an email, DeSantis’ communications director, Bryan Griffin, thanked Garcia for “successfully navigating” the transition of the district from a governing body controlled by Disney supporters to the current iteration controlled by DeSantis appointees.

Garcia “developed a new district focused on transparency and the elimination of corporate welfare,” Griffin said.

The Republican governor also recommended that a former senior advisor, Stephanie Kopelousos, be named the district’s new administrator. Kopelousos was a director of legislative affairs for DeSantis and previously served in other administrations of Florida governors.

“We are glad to see her step into this leadership role as the District embarks upon the next chapter in its efforts to ensure an even and transparent playing field for the businesses that operate in Central Florida,” Griffin said."

Full article at the link below.

Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees

The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov.

apnews.com

 

[LAKid53]

There are... advantages... to being in control of the enrolled voter rosters and the elections themselves if one were to... advantage one's own political party during an important election. So, maybe that's his interest. Or not. Just speculating as much as the no politics rule would allow. A good question to ask him.

While the CFTOD administrator position paid more, the OC supervisor of elections has significantly more power.

 

[flynnibus]

Why is this guy willing to take a 50% pay cut for this job?

Because his sugar daddy is telling him to do it.

When you are on the political appointee bandwagon... you do what the highest ranking guy wants so you stay on the wagon and get the better gig next time. Yes man get the candy.

 

[Brian]

Martin Garcia is reportedly out at the CFTOD.

"ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees continued Wednesday with the departure of its board chairman who had been highly critical of Disney.

Martin Garcia’s departure as chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is coming a week after the district’s administrator, Glen Gilzean, left to accept an appointment by DeSantis as interim elections supervisor in Orange County, the home of Orlando, at half his district’s $400,000 salary.

Martin didn’t respond to an email seeking comment on Wednesday.

In an email, DeSantis’ communications director, Bryan Griffin, thanked Garcia for “successfully navigating” the transition of the district from a governing body controlled by Disney supporters to the current iteration controlled by DeSantis appointees.

Garcia “developed a new district focused on transparency and the elimination of corporate welfare,” Griffin said.

The Republican governor also recommended that a former senior advisor, Stephanie Kopelousos, be named the district’s new administrator. Kopelousos was a director of legislative affairs for DeSantis and previously served in other administrations of Florida governors.

“We are glad to see her step into this leadership role as the District embarks upon the next chapter in its efforts to ensure an even and transparent playing field for the businesses that operate in Central Florida,” Griffin said."

Full article at the link below.

Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees

The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov.

apnews.com

Seems highly unusual to me.

 

[flynnibus]

Martin Garcia is reportedly out at the CFTOD.

"ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees continued Wednesday with the departure of its board chairman who had been highly critical of Disney.

Martin Garcia’s departure as chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is coming a week after the district’s administrator, Glen Gilzean, left to accept an appointment by DeSantis as interim elections supervisor in Orange County, the home of Orlando, at half his district’s $400,000 salary.

Martin didn’t respond to an email seeking comment on Wednesday.

In an email, DeSantis’ communications director, Bryan Griffin, thanked Garcia for “successfully navigating” the transition of the district from a governing body controlled by Disney supporters to the current iteration controlled by DeSantis appointees.

Garcia “developed a new district focused on transparency and the elimination of corporate welfare,” Griffin said.

The Republican governor also recommended that a former senior advisor, Stephanie Kopelousos, be named the district’s new administrator. Kopelousos was a director of legislative affairs for DeSantis and previously served in other administrations of Florida governors.

“We are glad to see her step into this leadership role as the District embarks upon the next chapter in its efforts to ensure an even and transparent playing field for the businesses that operate in Central Florida,” Griffin said."

Full article at the link below.

Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees

The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov.

apnews.com

What a flagrant disregard for any sort of objective government. The District Admin is just an employee of the district, not any sort of appointee. The fact the Gov's office is acting like this is otherwise is disgusting and shows just how much of a puppet government this is.

Garcia out is interesting... without a replacement named right away? Hope some reporters dig up what really happened here.

 

[Figgy1]

Martin Garcia is reportedly out at the CFTOD.

"ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees continued Wednesday with the departure of its board chairman who had been highly critical of Disney.

Martin Garcia’s departure as chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is coming a week after the district’s administrator, Glen Gilzean, left to accept an appointment by DeSantis as interim elections supervisor in Orange County, the home of Orlando, at half his district’s $400,000 salary.

Martin didn’t respond to an email seeking comment on Wednesday.

In an email, DeSantis’ communications director, Bryan Griffin, thanked Garcia for “successfully navigating” the transition of the district from a governing body controlled by Disney supporters to the current iteration controlled by DeSantis appointees.

Garcia “developed a new district focused on transparency and the elimination of corporate welfare,” Griffin said.

The Republican governor also recommended that a former senior advisor, Stephanie Kopelousos, be named the district’s new administrator. Kopelousos was a director of legislative affairs for DeSantis and previously served in other administrations of Florida governors.

“We are glad to see her step into this leadership role as the District embarks upon the next chapter in its efforts to ensure an even and transparent playing field for the businesses that operate in Central Florida,” Griffin said."

Full article at the link below.

Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees

The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov.

apnews.com

 

[LAKid53]

Martin Garcia is reportedly out at the CFTOD.

"ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees continued Wednesday with the departure of its board chairman who had been highly critical of Disney.

Martin Garcia’s departure as chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is coming a week after the district’s administrator, Glen Gilzean, left to accept an appointment by DeSantis as interim elections supervisor in Orange County, the home of Orlando, at half his district’s $400,000 salary.

Martin didn’t respond to an email seeking comment on Wednesday.

In an email, DeSantis’ communications director, Bryan Griffin, thanked Garcia for “successfully navigating” the transition of the district from a governing body controlled by Disney supporters to the current iteration controlled by DeSantis appointees.

Garcia “developed a new district focused on transparency and the elimination of corporate welfare,” Griffin said.

The Republican governor also recommended that a former senior advisor, Stephanie Kopelousos, be named the district’s new administrator. Kopelousos was a director of legislative affairs for DeSantis and previously served in other administrations of Florida governors.

“We are glad to see her step into this leadership role as the District embarks upon the next chapter in its efforts to ensure an even and transparent playing field for the businesses that operate in Central Florida,” Griffin said."

Full article at the link below.

Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees

The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov.

apnews.com

So...bailing...3 years early.

 

[JoeCamel]

Seems highly unusual to me.

What does that leave of the original appointees? One I think with three vacancies?

 

[Nevermore525]

Solid consistent leadership with this new district…