Disney–Orange County Tax Fight Draws Union Push for 'Global Settlement'

Overview

• Union leaders from the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association and Unite Here Local 737 in early April 2026 urged Disney and Property Appraiser Amy Mercado to negotiate a “Global Settlement” to end the valuation lawsuits.
• Disney has filed dozens of cases challenging what it says are inflated assessments on resort hotels, with the dispute playing out in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit.
• Because Florida schools rely on local property taxes, Orange County Public Schools hold disputed revenue in reserve during these cases to cover possible refunds, which leaves budgets unstable.
• Orange County has approved millions in payments to private law firms to defend the appraisals, a cost unions say should instead support teacher pay and classroom needs.
• Advocates say a settlement would lock in a base value for Disney properties for a set period, halt the yearly litigation cycle, and give the district a predictable tax roll to plan raises and retain teachers.