Board members selected by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who oversees the board of Walt Disney World, said Wednesday that their Disney-controlled predecessors dealt a quick blow to them by entering into restrictive covenants that stripped the new board of many of its powers.

Current supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District said at a meeting last month that their predecessors signed a development agreement with the company that gives Disney maximum development power over the theme park resort’s 27,000 acres in central Florida.

The five supervisors were appointed to the board of directors by the Republican governor after the Florida legislature overhauled Disney’s government in retaliation for the entertainment giant publicly opposing so-called Don’t Say Gay legislation that prohibits sexual orientation instruction. and prohibits gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as well as classes deemed inappropriate for age.

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By taking on Disney, DeSantis furthered his reputation as a culture warrior willing to fight perceived political enemies and using the power of the state government to further political goals, a strategy expected to continue leading up to his White House potential run.

The new overseers replaced a board that had been run by Disney during the government’s previous 55 years of operation as the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The new board members held their first meeting this month and said they were made aware of the agreement upon their appointment.

We’ll have to make do with it and correct it, board member Brian Aungst said Wednesday. It is an undermining of the will of the voters and the legislature and the governor. It completely bypasses this board’s authority to rule.

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Under the terms of the agreement, the district is prohibited from using the Disney name or other symbols associated with the theme park resort without the company’s permission, nor may it use the likeness of Mickey Mouse, other Disney characters, or other intellectual property in any use manner. . The company may seek damages for any violations and the agreement is in perpetuity, according to the statement.

If the agreement is deemed to violate rules against perpetuity, it will be in effect until 21 years after the death of the last surviving descendant of England’s King Charles III, the statement said.

In a statement, Disney said all agreements were in order and made public.

All agreements between Disney and the district were appropriate and were discussed and approved in open, noted public forums in accordance with the Florida government’s Sunshine Act, the statement said.

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Separately, Disney World service workers voted Wednesday to accept an offer of a union contract that would raise the minimum wage to $18 an hour by the end of the year.

The agreement covers approximately 45,000 service employees at the Disney theme park resort, including costumed performers who perform as Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters, bus drivers, culinary staff, lifeguards, theater staff and hotel housekeepers.

Workers could see their hourly wages rise between $5.50 and $8.60 per hour at the end of the five-year contract, if approved, union leaders said.

A contract approved five years ago made Disney the first major central Florida employer to agree to a $15 minimum hourly wage, setting the trend for other workers in the region dominated by hospitality jobs.