Councilwoman Demands Olympic Costs Audit

Los Angeles Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez called on May 20 for an audit of the LA28 organizing committee, saying the city needs stronger safeguards before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Rodriguez said in a statement that the review would help protect Los Angeles from “potential fiscal harm” tied to the Games. Her demand came as City Hall and LA28 continue negotiating a reimbursement deal for city services that was expected in October 2025 but remains unfinished. City officials and outside watchdogs have said the delay leaves taxpayers exposed if costs rise beyond what organizers cover. ### Why is Rodriguez asking for an audit now? Rodriguez said Wednesday that Los Angeles taxpayers should not be “left holding the bag” for Olympic expenses if LA28 runs over budget or fails to reimburse the city for services tied to the Games. Her office said the audit request is meant to examine LA28’s finances and protect the city from unreimbursed costs. The statement followed weeks of public pressure from Rodriguez and other city officials over the terms of the city’s cost-recovery negotiations with the organizing committee. (mynewsla.com) April 2026 brought a separate motion from Rodriguez to write a “Zero-Cost Principle” into the City Charter. Her office said that proposal would require full reimbursement for all enhanced city resources associated with the Games before any surplus funds could be used for a legacy fund. Rodriguez said at the time, “Los Angeles taxpayers should not be asked to subsidize the Games.” (dailynews.com) ### What costs are city officials worried about? Rodriguez’s office said preliminary estimates show security costs alone may exceed $1 billion, and that figure does not include other possible expenses from emergencies, weather events or other disruptions. Her office also said LA28’s $7.15 billion budget does not include security costs, which has sharpened questions over how any “surplus funds” would be defined and whether the city would be repaid in full for public safety and other services. (cd7.lacity.gov) A January 16 committee report from the City Clerk’s office showed departments were already being told to identify Games-related costs that could be reimbursed by LA28 once the master reimbursement agreement is finalized. The report said the Department on Disability expected an initial General Fund impact for staffing and contract services tied to major events preparation, including the Olympics, while it explored possible offsets. (cd7.lacity.gov) ### What is the delayed agreement between LA28 and the city? The Enhanced City Resources Master Agreement, or ECRMA, is the document meant to set reimbursement rules for city costs required by the 2028 Games. A joint statement issued by Mayor Karen Bass’ office and LA28 on October 1, 2025, said the parties were “working actively” to finalize the agreement and that it would ensure reimbursement of city costs. As of April 2, 2026, LAist reported the agreement was six months late. (cityclerk.lacity.org) LA28 said in its own description of a proposed Games agreement that reimbursement of city services is central to the framework and that the deal advances terms first set out in a 2017 memorandum with the city. LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman said the agreement was part of a commitment to deliver the Games at “zero cost to the City.” ### How much financial risk does Los Angeles already carry? (mayor.lacity.gov) LAist reported on April 2 that Los Angeles is the financial backstop for the Games if the organizing committee runs a deficit, with the state of California also sharing that risk. The same report said the city’s existing agreements already contemplate that organizers, not the city, will pay extra public-service costs tied to the Olympics, such as policing and traffic control, but that the detailed mechanics have not been finalized. (la28.org) City Controller Kenneth Mejia told LAist the delay was “deeply troubling” and said taxpayers should not bear those added costs. May 2026 also brought broader frustration inside the City Council. Coverage of a May 5 council vote said members directed city staff to finalize and present the reimbursement agreement within 14 days, underscoring impatience with the pace of negotiations. (laist.com) ### What happens next before the 2028 Games? The May 5 council directive set a 14-day clock for city negotiators to bring back the reimbursement agreement for council review. Rodriguez’s separate push to codify a “Zero-Cost Principle” also instructs the city’s legislative analyst, administrative officer and city attorney to prepare charter language. LA28, chaired by Casey Wasserman, is continuing preparations for the 2028 Games while negotiations over reimbursement, surplus funds and city protections remain unresolved. (thesportsexaminer.com)