Thousands of Republicans are expected to come to Dallas next month for a first-of-its-kind midterm national convention aimed at energizing Republican candidates ahead of the elections, with President Donald Trump and other federal officials expected to attend.

The event is scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10 at the American Airlines Center. Dallas officials provided new details about preparations during a City Council Finance Committee hearing.

Four city departments will be involved in preparations: the Dallas Police Department, Dallas Fire-Rescue, special events and transportation.

A very early estimate puts Dallas police costs at $1.8 million. The Transportation and Public Works Department could spend up to $14,000, while special events and Dallas Fire-Rescue have not yet provided estimates.

City staff cautioned that the $1.8 million police estimate is preliminary and changes daily.

Some council members raised concerns about the costs as Dallas faces a budget deficit, questioning whether the city has strong enough commitments to be reimbursed by the federal government or the organizing committee.

“We don’t know how much it’s going to cost us. I’m a pastor, so I don’t do ghost money,” Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Maxie Johnson said. “So is there a way that we can get a real understanding on how much this is going to cost? Because what I’m looking at as the chair of a committee, government efficiency. We’re in a deficit budget. And I don’t care if it costs $10, we shouldn’t be funding anything or front any kind of money.”

Council members also raised concerns about security surrounding the convention.

“So I’m just going to remind this body we’ve had a president assassinated in Dallas before. Our current president has had multiple attempts on his life. What happened in Dallas still affects us today, 50 years later. We don’t want this. And I want you to do everything possible to keep everybody, absolutely everybody, from the president to the protesters safe,” Council Member Cara Mendelsohn said.

The city may be reimbursed for some of its expenses by donors to the organizing committee, which The Dallas Morning News reported has raised $45 million.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.