LAKE BUENA VISTA — Gov. Ron DeSantis’ tourism oversight board hired a new administrator Wednesday to run the district that oversees Walt Disney World, giving him a pay bump to $400,000 in part because of the federal lawsuit the company has filed in the escalating feud.
The board also created a code enforcement system that could issue fines to Walt Disney World, which is known for meticulous care of its grounds.
The board also gave “pretty awesome powers” to a special magistrate it will appoint themselves, said author Rick Foglesong.
That official, who will decide code enforcement appeals, could be “weaponized” against the resort, said Foglesong, who wrote “Married to the Mouse,” a history of Disney World’s creation.
He or she could possibly shut down rides or other attractions for code violations, for example. “Will this board push back against DeSantis if DeSantis tells them to do something like [that]?” Foglesong asked.
Foglesong said it was unclear if there were provisions in place “that would prevent the kind of hanky panky I’ve been fearful of. … But you’d think [Disney] would see a threat here.”
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board’s actions came two weeks after Disney filed a federal lawsuit in Tallahassee, alleging a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” against the company by DeSantis and his hand-picked panel.
The board countersued at a special meeting last week, and Disney added to its suit on Monday with further quotes from DeSantis to back their claim the company is being punished for its opposition to the so-called “don’t say gay” law.
The lawsuit by Disney was only mentioned at the meeting by Chair Martin Garcia, who said it was one of the reasons the district’s new administrator, Glen Gilzean, should be paid $45,000 more yearly than outgoing administrator John Classe.
“Our new administrator can plan on being a defendant in a lawsuit,” Garcia said. “And it’s always challenging to recruit someone to a job and saying the first day, there’s going to be a process server coming down the sidewalk that’s probably going to serve you with a federal lawsuit.”
Garcia also said the $400,000 salary was in line with other special districts, adding that Gilzean will be operating under “a very different job description” that includes “a lawful obligation to provide reports to the Legislature and the governor.”
Gilzean’s was one of four resumes received by the board applying for the position, including Winter Park City Manager Randy Knight, according to an Orlando Sentinel records request.
Classe is staying on in a special advisory role. His separation agreement includes a non-disparagement clause and a pledge not to sue the board.
Gilzean, president and CEO of the Central Florida Urban League, said, the district has “magic here. And in this new role, I will strive to ensure that more people than ever have a chance to experience it.”
He acknowledged that “a lot has been said and written about the ongoing dispute between our state elected leaders and the Walt Disney [Co.]. Let me be abundantly clear. My job is to make this district, and in turn this entire region, a better place.”
His constituents, Gilzean said, were “the district employees, the Walt Disney employees, the small business owners, and of course, the millions of tourists who visit annually,” but not listing the leadership of Disney.
The board also unanimously adopted a resolution creating a code enforcement program, which the Disney-picked Reedy Creek Improvement District never had.
The system would make code violations subject to fines of up to $500 a day, determined by new code enforcement officers, who would answer to the administrator. The program would also authorize foreclosures on any liens.
Disney has prided itself on the maintenance of its parks and properties, which includes regular safety inspections.
But DeSantis and the Legislature have been working to strip Disney of its ability to regulate itself, including passing a law giving the state the power to inspect the Disney World monorail at Disney World.
Daniel Langley, the district’s special general counsel, said the system would be “another tool in the toolbox for enforcement” in addition to the fire chief and fire marshal, who were empowered to enforce fire regulations “at least equivalent to the Florida Fire Prevention Code” in a separate resolution.
Jon Shirey, president of the Reedy Creek firefighters union, also told the board that its membership will vote on a new contract next week. The union and the board reached a tentative contract agreement earlier this month after four years of negotiations.
“I know, you guys have taken on this role for free … and you’ve been attacked, personally criticized by members of the public, the media and whatnot,” Shirey said. “And in reality, all you guys have done is come in here and try to make this place better.”
The new board took over in March after DeSantis and lawmakers passed a law stripping Disney of its quasi-government approved by the Legislature in 1967.
DeSantis has argued that the company had too much power under the old system, but he’s also said a motivation for the change came after Disney challenged the Parental Rights in Education law that limits instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools.
Disney fired back by signing development agreements with the Reedy Creek board just before the state takeover. Lawmakers passed a law last week declaring those deals void.
Disney’s federal lawsuit is seeking control of the district back.
Staff writer Skyler Swisher contributed to this report.
