Dallas, Texas: $804,229 Convention Security Bill Still Unpaid, Council Told

Dallas has a final bill for the Republican National Convention that filled the American Airlines Center in September, and nobody has paid it. The city spent $804,229.46 on security and support for the midterm convention on September 9 and 10, according to a memo by Kevin Oden, the city director of emergency management and crisis response. Oden briefed the City Council finance committee on Monday, October 26. No reimbursement has arrived, and he cited no formal payment agreement.

Where the money went

Police work accounts for most of the total. The Dallas Police Department accounts for $661,000 of the bill, Dallas Fire-Rescue for $119,600, Transportation and Public Works for $16,625 and the emergency management office for $6,635, according to the memo as reported by The Dallas Morning News. D Magazine put the exact total at $804,229.46. The costs cover overtime, barricades and vehicles for the two day event.

The final number came in far below the forecasts. In August, city staff told council members that police security alone would cost about $1.8 million, and a September 3 memo projected more than $2 million in all. The final bill is about 40 percent of that planning figure. Oden said the overwhelming majority of the expenses were on-duty personnel costs already accounted for within adopted department budgets, rather than additional unbudgeted spending.

Sold as privately financed

The convention came to Dallas with a promise that local taxpayers would not carry it. A local host committee said in August that it had raised about $45 million, and organizer Ray Washburne said before the convention that the city should not expect to pay anything. Mayor Eric Johnson, who spoke from the convention stage, pledged that taxpayers would not cover the expenses, saying, according to the News, that "these are tough times financially."

None of those statements became a contract that Oden could point to on Monday. Asked what assurance the city had that it would be repaid, he pointed to public statements from organizers that they intended to defray the city costs. He did not cite a formal reimbursement agreement with the Republican National Committee or the host committee.

Council members push for an invoice

"That is absolutely ridiculous," Councilmember Maxie Johnson said. "When people use our city and facilities, integrity says, 'pay your bill.'" Johnson put the core fact on the record himself: "We have not received formal payment as of yet." Councilmember Chad West said the city should invoice the organizers "and continue following up until we get paid," or hit a dead end and take another route.

How the city plans to collect

The first claim is federal. Oden said the city will likely get some funds from the U.S. Capitol Police for protecting visiting members of Congress, under an existing agreement. The Secret Service has historically not reimbursed the city. After that claim, the city would invoice either the RNC or the host committee for the remainder. Asked who would be invoiced, Oden said the balance would go to whoever might potentially pay the city back. Staff are working with Visit Dallas and the Local RNC Host Committee on cost recovery options, and those discussions remain ongoing.

The timing matters at City Hall. Dallas has been closing a budget shortfall of about $30 million, and city employees were furloughed for three days as part of that effort, D Magazine reported. Council members pressed Oden for regular updates. The next update will show whether the talks produce a payment.