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The board appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to manage the territory that controls Disney World appears to be preparing for a legal battle with the corporate giant.
Hours before the Florida House of Representatives approved the state takeover, the board, still under the control of company appointees, transferred many of the special district’s responsibilities to Disney control.
“The Governor’s Administration is aware of Disney’s latest contract enforcement efforts just prior to the ratification of the new law transferring rights and powers from the former Reedy Creek landscaping to Disney,” Governor’s Office spokeswoman Taryn Fenske said in a statement. .
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Under agreements with developers that went into effect on February 8, the same day Florida House passed the law to control Disney’s land, the Reedy Creek Improvement District transferred most of its powers to Disney for the next 30 years.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis earlier this year took control of the board that oversees some aspects of Disney World. (Roberto Machado Noah/LightRocket via Getty Images)
According to DeSantis’ office, the governor was unaware of the agreements made by the former council before putting his stamp on the new county. However, they were adopted by the board at an open meeting, which included public hearings.
“The initial review suggests that these agreements may have serious legal shortcomings that would render the contracts invalid as a matter of law,” Fenske said. “We are pleased that the new board, appointed by the Governor, has hired several financial and legal firms to conduct due diligence and investigate Disney’s past behavior.”
The moves were not widely known until Wednesday’s meeting of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board, formerly known as the Reedy Creek Special Area.
“I can’t think of a more egregious attempt to circumvent the will of the voters, the will of the Florida Legislature and the will of the governor,” new board member Brian Aungst Jr. said.
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DeSantis has been arguing with Disney ever since the corporate giant took a stand against education parental rights law. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“This developmental agreement, which I consider null and void … was passed on the same day that the Florida House of Representatives passed the bill creating this council, and it was done in order to prevent us from doing our job,” he continued. . “It’s insulting to me.”
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The previous board, which oversaw some aspects of Disney World, approved a series of agreements that gave the corporate giant a wide range of control. (Getty Images for Disney Dream Academy)
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Disney said in a statement, “All agreements signed between Disney and the District have been appropriate and discussed and approved in open, visible public forums consistent with the Florida Sunshine Law.”
The new board has hired two outside law firms as it weighs litigation.
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