News Summary
Los Angeles city officials are negotiating with LA28 to finalize the city services required for the 2028 Olympics. Critical taxpayer funds are at stake, as the city must provide security, waste management, and traffic control. The agreement aims to clarify ‘enhanced services’ to avoid financial burdens on taxpayers, with concerns raised over the potential $1.5 billion cost. Local leaders emphasize the need for thorough negotiations to safeguard public interests in this high-profile event.
Los Angeles city leaders are currently engaged in negotiations with LA28, the private committee responsible for organizing the 2028 Summer Olympics, as they seek clarity on city services that will be required during the Games. The discussions have reached a critical point, with substantial taxpayer dollars potentially at stake and significant implications for city finances.
During the Olympics, expected to take place in July 2028, millions of visitors are anticipated to flood areas including downtown Los Angeles, the Sepulveda Basin, and the Westside. The city is tasked with providing essential services such as security, trash removal, traffic control, and paramedic services during the 17-day sporting event, followed by a two-week period for the Paralympics.
Under a 2021 agreement established between LA28 and the city, LA28 is obligated to reimburse Los Angeles for any additional city services that exceed typical provisions. To avoid imposing an undue financial burden on taxpayers, both parties must arrive at an agreement on what constitutes “enhanced services” by October 1, 2025. This agreement will outline the specific services required, the rates for those services, timelines for repayment, and audit rights to ensure accountability.
While LA28 has asserted that the Games will incur no costs for the city, the situation is further complicated by the financial definition of enhanced services, which could lead to significant expenditures from the city, already facing a critical financial status. Security expenses, primarily involving the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) along with local, state, and federal agencies, are likely to be a major expense for the city.
Los Angeles recently navigated a nearly $1 billion budget deficit and is now grappling with rising labor costs and a decline in tourism revenue. As part of President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, a proposal includes $1 billion earmarked for security and planning for the Games, though the specifics of the allocation remain unclear.
A noteworthy concern was raised by civil rights attorney Connie Rice, who sent a six-page letter to city officials cautioning them about the hazards tied to the enhanced services agreement. She emphasized the importance of thorough negotiations to safeguard taxpayers from potentially incurring an additional $1.5 billion financial burden in 2028. The correspondence also posed critical questions regarding the definition of venue “footprints” and why LA28 should not be responsible for covering costs up front.
As of now, LA28 has yet to release a detailed budget for security, transit, and sanitation expected during the Olympics. According to Paul Krekorian, the head of Mayor Bass’s major events office, continual collaboration between city staff and LA28 has been ongoing to maximize the long-term benefits of the Games.
Historically, the city has provided substantial police resources for other major events. For instance, the city received a $1.5 million reimbursement from the Rams for the 2022 Super Bowl parade. However, a recent document from the city’s investor website indicates potential fiscal liabilities for the city, which could reach up to $1 billion in security costs if not adequately covered by LA28 or federal funding.
LA28’s vice president of communications acknowledged that security and planning costs are still under review and did not confirm whether the committee would cover expenses incurred by the LAPD.
The proposed $1 billion allocation from the Big Beautiful Bill will be distributed by FEMA through the Homeland Security Grant Program, focusing on preventing terrorism-related risks. Meanwhile, LA28 continues to pursue federal support for the Games; however, uncertainty looms regarding the implementation of that funding.
Local officials are expressing concern over how federal funding for the Games will be allocated, particularly considering past instances where the Trump administration withheld funding. Krekorian has indicated that the city is in direct communication with state and federal partners concerning the funding’s allocation.
Amid rising political tensions and security concerns linked to federal policies, city leaders are apprehensive about the financial and logistical implications that come with hosting the Olympics, indicating a pressing need for careful and precise negotiation with LA28 to safeguard the interests of Los Angeles taxpayers during this high-profile global event.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Security Costs for the 2028 Olympics
- Wikipedia: 2028 Summer Olympics
- BBC Sport: Olympics Updates
- Google Search: 2028 Summer Olympics
- San Francisco Chronicle: Opinion on the Olympics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Summer Olympics
- The Guardian: LA Olympics 2028
- Google News: Los Angeles Olympics 2028
- Los Angeles Times: 2028 Olympics Schedule
- Google Scholar: Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
