Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Accepts Disney’s Reversal in Federal Case
Lake Buena Vista, FL – The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, today, accepted Disney’s proposal to allow Disney to backtrack on key claims in their federal case. Last week, Disney asked the court to remove these key claims from their lawsuit.
Deputy Fire Chief Eric Ferrari Named Acting Fire Chief at the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
Lake Buena Vista, FLA – The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) Administrator Glen Gilzean has announced Eric Ferrari, Deputy Chief of Operations at the District, will assume the role of Acting Fire Chief, while a nationwide search is underway for a permanent replacement for retiring Fire Chief Richard LePere.
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Engages Esteemed Law Professor Donald J. Kochan
Kochan will assess the history, legality, and practices of the District and advise on democratic governance, constitutional limitations, and land use law going forward
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL (August 23, 2023) – The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) has engaged renowned law professor Donald J. Kochan to undertake a detailed legal and economic study of the practices of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District and similar governance regimes with privileges granted to specific corporate entities. His report will analyze Florida, federal, and constitutional law, and make recommendations on the use of legislative and municipal authority to ensure that special interests do not benefit at the expense of the public in the future.
Referral Made to Inspector General Regarding Scheme to Funnel Millions of Taxpayer Dollars to Disney as Season Passes
Scheme that Funneled $2.5M Back to Disney Each Year Also Paid for Merchandise, Hotels, Cruises, and Food
Today, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has submitted a referral to the Florida Inspector General regarding millions of dollars’ worth of perks and benefits that the former Disney-controlled Reedy Creek Improvement District funneled back to Disney.
Oversight District Files Brief to Abstain or Dismiss Disney Case
Lake Buena Vista, FL: The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), today, filed a reply brief in response to Disney’s federal lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis and the district board. The brief argues that the court should either abstain or entirely dismiss the case. It also highlights the district’s recent success in foiling Disney’s attempt to “frustrate the will of the People of Florida” using nullified development agreements. “The Constitution… does not entitle Disney to a local government that functions essentially as the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary,” the brief contends.
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Abolishes DEI Board and Race-based Contracting
Eliminating all CFTOD DEI initiatives and programs will save millions of dollars each year
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – Today, District Administrator, Glenton Gilzean announced the abolition of all DEI programs at the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The announcement comes after the Reedy Creek Improvement District implemented hiring and contracting programs that discriminated against Americans based on gender and race, costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Proposes Cutting Property Tax Rate for Constituents in FY2024 Budget
Proposal follows through on commitments to fiscal responsibility
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – Today, District Administrator Glenton Gilzean presented the FY2024 budget to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board, which proposes significant cuts to the property tax rate. Specifically, the cut would reduce the current millage rate by nearly 7 percent without impacting core programs that serve the community. The rate cut is possible because of the elimination of government waste and abuse.
About Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District formerly known as, Reedy Creek Improvement District (the “District”) is a local government entity, created in 1967 by a special Act of the Florida Legislature, the purpose of which is to support and administer certain aspects of the economic development and tourism within District boundaries. In April of 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 4-C into Law to dissolve Reedy Creek Improvement District effective June 1st 2023. In February of 2023, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 9-B establishing a new state appointed board renaming RCID to Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. With an administration office located on Hotel Plaza Boulevard in Lake Buena Vista, the District encompasses approximately 25,000 acres in both Orange and Osceola counties, servicing 24 landowners, including Walt Disney Co. and its wholly-owned affiliates.
Click here to view the District Charter.
The District is responsible to oversee land use and environmental protections within the District, and provide essential public services (e.g. fire protection, emergency medical services, potable water production, treatment, storage, pumping & distribution, reclaimed water distribution, chilled water systems, wastewater services, drainage and flood control, electric power generation & distribution, and solid waste and recyclables collection & disposal) and operate and maintain all public roadways & bridges. The District operates on a fiscal year, beginning on October 1st and ending on September 30th; and funds its operations, services, and capital improvements by assessing taxes and fees to the landowners and lessees, within the District, and by issuing ad valorem and utility revenue bonds.
SERVICING the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District & OTHER AREAS
One of the busiest places in America, the District’s boundaries include: 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 1 sports complex, 179 lane miles of roadway, 67 miles of waterway, the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, an environmental science laboratory where the continuity of water quality is monitored, an electric power-generating & distribution facility, a natural gas distribution system, a chilled water distribution system, water and wastewater collection & treatment facilities, a solid waste and recyclables collection & transfer system, plus over 40,000 hotel rooms and 100’s of restaurants and retail stores.
The District is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, appointed by the Governor. Their goal is to support the economic viability of all venues and businesses within the District, while never sacrificing Central Florida’s remarkable wildlife and ecological environment. Through the creation and effective operation of the District, 38.5 square miles of remote and largely uninhabited pasture and swamp land was developed into a world-class tourist destination that welcomes millions of visitors every year.