Florida senate vs Reedy Creek

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by Tillyfloss

But it is a political issue!
Initiated by the Florida governor.

I have no interest in the politics but I don’t think you can deny the background to this move.

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It is 100% political. DeSantis isn't even trying to pretend it isn't retaliation for Disney speaking out against the new education bill. He is also removing Disney's exemption to a new media bill that he fully supported only months ago. He had also always been happy to accept large campaign donation from them in the past.

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by YLL

Apparently residents of Reedy Creek would have to approve by a majority vote that the district should be dissolved. Since the 50+ residents are all or mostly all Disney employees, it's not going to happen. Just political gesturing to please the Republican base.

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I haven't heard that but am extremely suspicious of a bill drafted and approved within days. It is an extremely complex issue that would require Orange and Osceola counties to take on huge responsibilities for things like the fire/ambulance service, sewerage, power and road maintenance issues within Disney's huge area. Universal and Sea World are tiny in comparison so of course have always used Orange County services. The Florida Legislature didn't even discuss the issues at committee level.

It has passed in the Senate and is almost guaranteed to pass in the House as well. DeSantis will then rush to sign it before elections in November and claim victory over "woke" Disney. It will then be taken to court before it is even enacted. I have seen suggestions that he is likely to abandon it after the elections anyway!

[SandLake]

I seem to have missed something. And I'm not commenting one way or the other.

Currently Reedy Creek Improvement District pay for services like Fire and Ambulance and others, which must cost $$$.

From what I have read if Reedy Creek Improvement District is dissolved this then has to be paid by Orange and Osceola county tax payers

That either means that Disney will hold on to their $$$ or, as I suspect, Orange and Osceola counties will levy a tax on Disney - this is not mentioned in any reports I have read.

[Stitch & Smudge]

Originally Posted by SandLake

I seem to have missed something. And I'm not commenting one way or the other.

Currently Reedy Creek Improvement District pay for services like Fire and Ambulance and others, which must cost $$$.

From what I have read if Reedy Creek Improvement District is dissolved this then has to be paid by Orange and Osceola county tax payers

That either means that Disney will hold on to their $$$ or, as I suspect, Orange and Osceola counties will levy a tax on Disney - this is not mentioned in any reports I have read.

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Apparently Disney don’t pay taxes on parking charges at the parks and resorts and are even able to claim rebates on any construction works on amenities like roads and the garages at Disney Springs. It was an amazing plan they came up with which gave them an enormous amount of scope to do pretty much as they pleased (including a nuclear power plant that they never got round to building :d)

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by SandLake

I seem to have missed something. And I'm not commenting one way or the other.

Currently Reedy Creek Improvement District pay for services like Fire and Ambulance and others, which must cost $$$.

From what I have read if Reedy Creek Improvement District is dissolved this then has to be paid by Orange and Osceola county tax payers

That either means that Disney will hold on to their $$$ or, as I suspect, Orange and Osceola counties will levy a tax on Disney - this is not mentioned in any reports I have read.

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I am no expert but do know a little about property tax here. The charge is split up for different services. Reedy Creek is currently exempt from the share for fire services for example because they provide their own. They also provide their own security and pay the sheriff's offices directly for the deputies they actually need. Private hire of police/deputies is actually common here. The county schools even pay for the deputies based at each school.

Reedy Creek DO pay property tax but it would have to increase and the counties would have to provide the services themselves. It is obviously a complicated situation that shouldn't have been rushed through on DeSantis' whim after the normal legislative session had already ended.

[Porgie]

SIGH!
apple.news/ADXH2gZi2RJS85rcTev9w_A

[prugone]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

My thinking is both sides should sit down and thrash out a solution as to how to take matters forward.

The meeting should take place on Its A Small World ride and they must stay there until a decision is reached - with the music on.

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What music is that?

[orlandoman88]

Originally Posted by Porgie

SIGH!
apple.news/ADXH2gZi2RJS85rcTev9w_A

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It actually costs Disney far more to run the Reedy Creek district, if this passes (may have to be voted on by the residents themselves) it will be Orange County taking on the financial costs, which will actually save Disney upwards of $1 billion dollars.

So if anything Disney will have more money if this goes through but I wouldn’t rule out price increases anyway with Paycheck in charge.

[dan223]

Can’t see this mentioned on the dibb yet. But Disney has been stripped of its special status, effective from 1st June 2023.

“The status gave Disney powers to levy tax, build roads and control utilities on the lands of its theme park.”

bbc/news/world-us-canada-61179262

Will be interesting how it affects Disney going forward.

[Bianca]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

My thinking is both sides should sit down and thrash out a solution as to how to take matters forward.

The meeting should take place on Its A Small World ride and they must stay there until a decision is reached - with the music on.

See more...

With upcharges for -

A seat on the boat
Drinking water
A cup for the drinking water
Toilet breaks
(Intermittent) Wifi
And an encouraging thumbs up from Mickey every time they pass through the loading bays.