2023 has been the year of ups, downs, and lots of changes for Disney, and even Orlando.
Reedy Creek Improvement District
Earlier this year, the Reedy Creek Improvement District underwent a lengthy battle with Florida Governor Ron Desantis, which resulted in the District being restructured to become the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The new District consisted of a Board of Supervisors hand-appointed by Governor Desantis himself.
On August 23rd, 2023, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) conducted a board meeting in which the Board heard public comments from speakers and discussed recent changes, updates, and the future of the District.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream
There are a few interesting changes being made that impact more than just employees. The Board said that public safety is “paramount to district operation” and that they would be upgrading and expanding the use of security cameras across the property.
There was also heavy talk of installing and repairing guardrails that could potentially change how parts of the roads look around the district. The Board also introduced Donald J Koshen, a professor who has been hired to advise them on “governance structure.” Koshen will examine the “highly irregular” structure of the Board.
Walt Disney World
Recently, the CTFTOD implemented the removal of a benefit in which Reedy Creek employees were able to enjoy free park admission to the Disney World theme parks. Employees within the District were reportedly told that their jobs and benefits would be safe when the district changed hands, which ended up not being the case.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream
The first speaker at the meeting was Pete Simon, a Reedy Creek firefighter. Simon stated that the removal of this benefit takes away the entire reason for applying to work within the District for many employees. Simon stated that all the District employees have witnessed and heard about are cuts. Many believe that the removal of employee benefits is the “first brick pulled in the dismantling of the district.”
Reedy Creek Fire Department
The next speaker, a Central Florida local, reiterated that a “pattern of lies and deceit” has been prevalent among the new District — that the promises made in the switch no longer stood. Board Member Martin Garcia responded that these ethics violations wouldn’t be an issue for this board. He also said that there would eventually be tax cuts for taxpayers, which, in this case, includes Disney. Debbie McDonald, a citizen of Osceola County, agreed that it was in spiteful nature to cut benefits.
Walt Disney World
Aaron Clark spoke next — another citizen who works for the Fire Department. He shared that his father worked as a firefighter for 26 years within the District and earned a lifetime pass to the Disney Parks. As a father of three small children, Clark shared that his goal was to be a Reedy Creek firefighter to be able to get free access to the parks to make memories for his children, just like his dad did.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream
Board Chair Martin Garcia stated that the old Reedy Creek Board was in negotiation for five years, and that the current board was only intact for six months before they came to a favorable conclusion — and that they’ve contacted legal counsel to understand the deal with employee benefits.
As far as the recent benefit policy changes, Martin shared that the reasons the changes were necessary were because the policy discriminated against a business, it was inequitable with respect to employees, and it had the potential to endorse unlawful policy.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
The old policy had the board paying $2.5 million to Disney for employee park passes, which meant that it was a policy that was created in favor of one taxpayer in the district — exclusive to one business. Martin shared his opinion that this wasn’t fair, and stated that some employees with larger families got a larger benefit (like $3,000 spent on passes for a family as opposed to $1,000 spent on a single employee) and in some years, the Board was paying for passes that weren’t even being used.
Annual Pass
Instead of issuing park passes, Martin shared that the Board has upped gross wages by $1,425, to be “fair.” He continued by stating that if this number needs to be higher, then the Board will go higher. He reiterated that counsel has been sought to reevaluate this number. The Board later shared that $4.5 million was spent in litigation efforts.
Reedy Creek
“We are trying to equitably replace the policy we eliminated,” Martin stated. “Private companies cannot give gifts to government workers. These passes were free and that is unlawful.” The Board shared that they also eliminated more previously-authorized expenses such as annual passes, deep discounts on Disney merchandise and cruises, private golf, and soccer outings.
Reedy Creek
Well, it seems like there might be a lot more changes coming soon, both within the workforce and as far as urban planning goes. We’ll continue to keep you updated with more news and updates as we hear it, so make sure to follow along for more!
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What do you think of the recent and future changes within the District? Let us know in the comments!
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So much for caring about employees. They’re just doing what Desantis wants! He’s ruining Disney for me just as he’s ruined all of Florida.
First of thank you DFB for continuing to call it Reedy Creek. The “New” board certainly haven’t done anything to warrant being acknowledged.
The new lot certainly have a hard time understanding that REEDY CREEK WAS Disney. The district benefitted from them, the money generated by them, therefore they weren’t a government body. This is also the first time I heard they were increasing wages, how can they as a government body do that? They are just talking in circles and lying through their teeth.
While the court cases are pending, I certainly hope Disney and the people of Reedy Creek are demanding ongoing audits.
Who is Donald J Koshen, what are his qualifications and why have the board hired someone to “examine the “highly irregular” structure of the Board”, when it was De Satan who hand picked the board?
Park passes; really? How about you go work at a busier and more dangerous district in Florida. How about my brother combat veterans or wounded warriors get passes for life. I have absolutely no sympathy for these firefighters.
Okay question, was this taxpayer money as has been reported by others? I am torn because it was something they were promised but if it is a private company paying ‘city’ employees it could look like a bribe and if it is taxpayer money being used that is outrageous.
And people of Florida love him , just think what he would do if he was elected president. You get what you deserve .
Amen Lynda! Such a small, spiteful excuse for a man.
Imagine all the things he’ll take away from us if he becomes President. Glad my husband made me get my passport!
Might be wrong but I believe all is paid by Disney not tax payer money. It’s all Disney money they’re “playing” with. I also believe it’s all employees not just the firefighters. To my understanding this was a benefit of working for such low wages, like o my job offered free meals during shift and discounts at other times. It’s a perk Disney paid for. N what’s the next thing they’ll take away? The college program? $1400 Gross increase, Maybe, so they’ll have to pay tax on that too, so more like $1200-1300 a year comes to what, $20 a week. Please.
From “Lyn”:
“The new lot certainly have a hard time understanding that REEDY CREEK WAS Disney.”
Actually Lyn, yes they do understand that. It is you lot that do not understand how corrupt and illegal that is! The fact that Disney WAS Reedy Creek is as crazy corrupt as it comes. It is the same as the Ford Motor Company running the city of Dearborn.
Wait until they start investigating any Municipal Bonds that Reedy Creek issued and where the money went. People are potentially going to federal prison over this. It is a travesty!
So did these “government employees” pay income tax on these benefits? If it is part of their compensation package for working it is taxable. Did “Reedy Creek” buy these from “Disney” to give to their employees?
You obviously are not well versed in employment rules and the difference between government and corporate power. A private or public corporation CANNOT RUN A MUNICIPAL DISTRICT. It is illegal as hell!
Private companies can offer the benefits they desire to their employees. Cast members are able to bring three guests into the theme parks with them at no cost. They get nice discounts on Disney hotels and merchandise. They also have Property Control, where cast members can purchase Disney merchandise, food and furniture at huge discounts.
All that was at the discretion of the Disney Corporation. And I’m sure part of the reason cast members decided to work for Disney. Even Disney cast members working in NYC get these perks. Florida should have no say in any of that, and that includes Reedy Creek (I will never call it anything but Reedy Creek) cast members and employees.
Jeff,
Who signs their paycheck? Who do they get their W2 from? Seriously, I’m curious, cause that’s who they work for. I worked DMV but was paid by the state comptroller, there fore when someone asked where I worked, I said the state not DMV. The state signed my check. We also have county DMV’s, the are paid by the county, the city DMV’s are signed by the city. I bet if you asked any of them who they worked for, they’d say Disney not Reedy Creek..
So Jeff, does that mean all special districts in the state of Florida should be undone? Disney was not the only one I believe there’s 30+ currently.
Barbara, Lynda and Jeph,
I understand your points and you are correct that employers are allowed to give their employees benefits.
That is not what I am reading or understanding is going on here. This article specifically mentions “government employees” and “Reedy creek employees” I understand some of not all of you believe “Reedy Creek” is Disney however it is not, yes Disney makes up most of Reedy Creek however there are other residents of the district. It is officially a district so it should run as a district. YES Jeph ALL special districts should be undone and I believe some are starting to be dismantled, this is the only one getting attention because of the politics and Media.