The issue wasn't even on the agenda, but it was briefly mentioned during a discussion on solar panels.ĭistrict administrator John Classe said that a planned expansion of the solar energy program could be delayed due to financial challenges caused by the new law, according to WESH reporter Bob Hazen. On Wednesday, the Reedy Creek board of supervisors carried on with business as usual on Wednesday, barely mentioning the decision to dissolve the district.Įmployees have been left in the dark as to what comes next for the district, says firefighter and union president Jon Shirey, who was reportedly the only one to address the issue directly on Wednesday The Sunshine State's laws stipulate that all residents must be taxed equally.īut winding down Reedy Creek Improvement District - the name of the private body that oversees Disney's Orlando resort - would leave the state liable for $2 billion in bond debts currently held by the entertainment giant.ĭisney issued those bonds - seen as an extremely safe financial investment - to fund the expansion of Walt Disney World Resort.īut unwinding Reedy Creek means families from Orange and Osceola counties would be on the hook for between $2,200 and $2,800 each, because the district would be absorbed into both areas.
He added it would be 'catastrophic for our budget' if the county had to assume the costs for public safety at the theme park resort.ĭeSantis's bid to strip Disney World of its self-governing status could fail because of the tax burden it'll impose on locals, lawyers believe. 'The devil is in the details and we don't yet today have the details,' said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, whose county is partially home to Disney World. Ron DeSantis over his decision to strip the Reedy Creek Improvement District of special privileges, saying that there is a clause in its original contract that stipulates the state is responsible for its $2 billion bond debt.ĭemocrats have slammed DeSantis' decision as petty retaliation for Disney's opposition to his so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill, warning that homeowners could face tax bills if they have to absorb costs from the company, though details are far from clear. Published: 18:31 BST, 27 April 2022 | Updated: 21:47 BST, ĭisney has hit back at Florida Gov. Many believe DeSantis removed Disney's special privilege status because the entertainment giant vocally opposed his so-called Don't Say Gay billīy Adam Manno and Natasha Anderson For Dailymail.Com.Other legal experts allege a court may strike down DeSantis' ruling to dissolve RCID because of First Amendment violations.Tax collectors estimate the liability would raise resident taxes between $2,200 and $2,800 per family of four.By dissolving RCID, residents in Osceola and Orange counties would be liable for Disney's $2 billion bond debts.The head of Reedy Creek's union says employees are in the dark about their jobs.But there was little talk of the issue save for a brief discussion on how it would affect a planned expansion of solar panels.The district board met days after Gov.DeSantis stripped it of 55-year-old special status Disney STRIKES BACK and says Florida is responsible for its $2B bond debt after Gov.