Disney Challenges Tax Bill: Walt Disney World...

Disney Challenges Tax Bill: Walt Disney World in Florida is challenging a whopping 254% property tax increase that Osceola County levied to help pay for massive commercial growth and traffic problems around the tourist attraction. The company has filed a lawsuit in circuit court “to protect our rights to challenge, although we hope to come to an agreement with county authorities on the whole subject,” Disney spokesman Charlie Ridgway said. Osceola Property Appraiser Bob Day removed the agricultural classification on most of Disney’s undeveloped property in the county, south of the area in Orlando and Orange counties where Disney development is concentrated, and said he would bill the company $1.4 million in 1989 property taxes. On Monday, Disney paid $12,012--the company’s “good-faith estimate” of what it believes is a fair amount of its taxes.