Disney district property tax rates to decrease following vote by DeSantis-appointed board.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Votes to Lower Property Taxes
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board has made a significant decision that will benefit property owners in the district, including the renowned Walt Disney World Resort. In a unanimous vote during a board meeting, the millage rate for fiscal 2024 was lowered from 13.9000 to 12.9500. This reduction in the millage rate will result in a decrease in property taxes for individuals within the district.
The district attributes this rate cut to their commitment to eliminating government waste and abuse. By diligently addressing the concerns of constituents expressed during public meetings and community interactions, the board has taken a proactive approach to ensure that tax rates do not burden property owners.
Achieving Fiscal Responsibility and a World-Class Experience
Glenton Gilzean, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Administrator, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “The district staff has worked diligently the past few months to find ways to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while ensuring a world-class experience for the millions of people who travel to our district from around the world. We’re proud of the result.”
This vote marks the initial step in the budgetary process for fiscal 2024. It will be followed by two public hearings and a final vote in September. Martin Garcia, Chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board, shed light on the wasteful practices that have been eliminated to reduce property taxes. He revealed that the previous board, appointed by Disney, had allocated over $8 million annually for law enforcement services exclusively on Disney properties. Recognizing the unfairness of this allocation, the current board has taken action to rectify the situation.
Garcia emphasized, “That doesn’t make any sense to me and it doesn’t make sense to anybody on our team that has looked at it. So that is one of the savings Mr. Gilzean has found.” He further added that as they continue their work, they have discovered other questionable expenses made by the previous board using district funds.
A New Era of Governance
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board was appointed in February following the restructuring of the district by Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL). This restructuring transformed the district encompassing the Walt Disney World Resort into the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Since assuming power, the board has encountered conflicts with Disney and Governor DeSantis.
Upon assuming their roles, the new board uncovered an agreement between Disney and the previous board that granted the entertainment giant significant control over the district. In response, Governor DeSantis and the board took decisive action to invalidate the agreement. This involved utilizing a legal infirmity to declare the agreement void and passing legislation that specifically targeted its validity.
Disney responded by filing a lawsuit against state officials in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida on the same day the board declared the agreement void. In turn, the board filed a countersuit against Disney in the Circuit Court of the 9th Judicial Circuit in Orange County, Florida.
Disney has until Wednesday to respond to Governor DeSantis and the board’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit in federal court.
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