DALLAS — Dallas expects to spend more than $2 million on police, fire and other public safety operations for the Republican midterm convention Sept. 9 and 10, although the city has not identified any confirmed grants or reimbursements to cover the expenses, according to a city memo released Thursday.
The city estimates Dallas Police Department costs at $1.8 million, while Dallas Fire-Rescue expects to spend $200,000. Emergency management and public works each have a combined allocation of $50,000.
The memo said the figures remain estimates and the city will determine the final cost after the convention. It also does not specify how much of the projected expense the city has already included in its budget.
“At this time, no new grant or reimbursement item associated with the event is scheduled for Council consideration,” the memo said.
The city could recover some expenses through permitting fees and an agreement with U.S. Capitol Police. However, the memo does not identify any confirmed reimbursement from the convention or its host committee.
The convention will take place at the American Airlines Center and could draw about 20,000 people.
The projected security costs come as Dallas faces a potential $30 million budget shortfall. Police overtime also could exceed the fiscal 2026 budget by about $2.7 million.
Dallas has implemented furlough days for city employees to reduce spending, although police officers, firefighters, paramedics and 911 employees remain exempt.
Dallas regularly provides security for major events regardless of whether organizers reimburse the city. The city receives regular and overtime pay reimbursement when police protect congressional leaders visiting Dallas.
Assistant Police Chief Mark Villarreal told the City Council last month that the city has not historically received reimbursement from the Secret Service for protecting people under its protection.
“As far as Secret Service protectees, never in the history have we ever received any type of reimbursement from the Secret Service,” Villarreal said.
Council Member Cara Mendelsohn said during an Aug. 24 finance committee meeting that the convention could generate additional city revenue through sales and hotel taxes.
“But I think the concern is that we don’t want that to be something to help offset these expenses, we want that to be […] over and above these expenses,” Mendelsohn said.
