The ongoing feud between Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida and Walt Disney World has taken another twist, with an obscure agreement that may render the new governing board powerless. Earlier this year, DeSantis took control of Disney’s oversight district board, a move aimed at stripping the company of its self-governing power that it has enjoyed for more than six decades. However, prior to the governor’s takeover, an agreement was approved that effectively stripped the board of its power.
The agreement sets the expiration terms for the board and appears to have been invoked using an obscure property law known as Rule Against Perpetuities. This has left newly-appointed board members powerless, with member Ron Peri stating that “This essentially makes Disney the government,” claiming that the board, for practical purposes, has lost the majority of its ability to do anything beyond maintaining roads and infrastructure.
Disney’s special status came under threat when the company objected to Florida’s proposal to ban the discussion of sexual orientation in K-3 public classrooms. In response, DeSantis attempted to dissolve the board, but this would have placed the burden of paying for a fire department and road maintenance onto taxpayers in Orange and Osceola counties. Instead, lawmakers passed a bill that ended Disney’s self-governing status and gave the governor the authority to appoint board members.
The newly-appointed board members claim that previous members entered into an agreement that stripped them of their power. Brian Aungst, another member of the board, said during a meeting on Wednesday that “It’s a subversion of the will of the voters and the Legislature and the governor. It completely circumvents the authority of this board to govern.” The agreement text gives Disney a slew of powers including development rights for the next thirty years and the authority to approve any design improvements.
DeSantis has previously stated that his new board members will be able to tailor the type of entertainment at the park, although it remains unclear how they would be able to do so. The agreement that newly-appointed members are objecting to was signed on February 8, the day before the Florida House voted to change the existing governing body.
The new district is currently seeking counsel from four law firms, including Cooper & Kirk, which has already received more than $2.8 million in legal fees and contracts from the DeSantis administration.
Disney has issued a statement maintaining that 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.
