On Wednesday, District Administrator Glenton Gilzean presented the FY2024 budget to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board, proposing significant property tax cuts. Specifically, the cut would reduce the current millage rate by nearly 7 percent without impacting core programs that serve the community. The rate cut is possible because government waste and abuse are eliminated.

We heard from constituents loud and clear at public meetings and while out and about in the community. They do not want their tax rates to go up. We took their concerns to heart. The district staff has worked diligently the past few months to find ways to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while ensuring a world-class experience for the millions of people who travel to our district from around the world. We’re proud of the result.

Glenton Gilzean

Owners from various Disney Springs businesses were present at a previous board meeting and expressed their concerns over property tax increases.

The millage rate is the amount of tax payable per dollar of the taxable assessed value of a property. One mill equals $1 in taxes due per $1,000 of taxable estimated property value. In FY2023, the millage rate was 13.9000. The district’s proposed millage rate for FY2024 is 12.9500, a 6.8% rate decrease. The district arrived at this rate considering budget requirements and property assessments from the publicly elected Orange and Osceola Counties tax appraisers.

Gilzean’s proposed budget also outlines priorities for the district: enhancing public safety, implementing governing best practices, and prioritizing spending. In addition, the budget would increase the district’s reserve fund to include line items such as dedicated emergency response.

Further, taxpayer dollars would no longer be used to fund the private use of the public police force for commercial benefit. Over the past several years, instead of using private security or hiring additional police officers, private entities have placed the financial burden on citizens by billing the district to police their property.

The board will vote today on the proposed millage rate. This will kick off the budget approval process, which requires two public hearings and a vote in September on a final budget that contains detailed line items.

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