ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The governor-appointed board overseeing Disney’s special district is going after the deputies hired to protect park guests.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
During a Wednesday meeting, officials said the previous board spent $8 million every year on law enforcement overtime on Disney properties.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District manages the land known as Reedy Creek, on which Disney owns all the property. The previous board, called the Reedy Creek Improvement District, was controlled by Disney itself.
Now, the board is doing away with that spending and cutting $8 million used to pay law enforcement officers in off-duty shifts, saying the cost of fighting Disney in court has caused it to have to find money in other places.
READ: Board overseeing Disney’s special district to hold closed-door meeting Wednesday
There is currently a deal in place with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office through the fall of 2024.
READ: Disney asks judge to throw state Reedy Creek lawsuit out
The board said it found other places to cut money as it relates to its spending on Disney, but it was not clear what they were referring to.
READ: Power play: Disney handicapped new Reedy Creek board before handing over control
This browser does not support the video element.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.