The new Reedy Creek board appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has retained high-profile D.C. law firm Cooper & Kirk for what the board describes as "constitutional and contract matters and potential legal challenges for matters involving the District that occurred under the prior board of supervisors and that may involve the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiary and related entities."
At today's special board meeting, the legal council for the new board said that various agreements were made over the past several months that were "unusual" and "suspect."
In a statement to WESH news, Disney said, "All agreements signed between Disney and the District were appropriate, and were discussed and approved in open, noticed public forums in compliance with Florida's Government in the Sunshine law."
Local WESH news reporter Bob Hzaen is reporting that a recent Developer Agreement confirms Disney's right to Reedy Creek Improvement District land for the next 30 years and cannot be changed by the new board.
The bill that DeSantis has signed in late February 2023 replaces the Reedy Creek governing body's board with five members appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In addition, the Reedy Creek Improvement District will be renamed "Central Florida Tourism Oversight District." Disney will be responsible for paying hundreds of millions in outstanding Reedy Creek debt.