D.C. to Feds: More cash for inauguration security

WASHINGTON - The $15 million appropriated by Congress to pay for Inauguration security is not going to be enough, one local official says.

"We're finalizing costs and are certain we'll need to request a supplement," Mafara Hobson, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's director of communications, tells WTOP in an email.

City Administrator Dan Tangherlini has been seeking support on Capitol Hill for additional funds.

The District receives money each year from the federal government to help cover costs associated with security and planning for large events, like the World Bank demonstrations and the Right To Life March.

In past years, the District received the money at the end of the year after submitting a request that includes itemized costs. The District was given $3 million in 2008. For 2009, the federal payment was made up front and increased because of the Inauguration.

The District will still have to submit a report of their expenses at the end of the year.

Even if Fenty is successful in getting additional funds for the Inauguration, it will still leave the city short for covering the costs of the events that occur the rest of 2009. Hundreds of thousands are expected just two days after the Inauguration for the Right to Life March.

David Umansky, with the District's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, says there is federal money available.

The city hasn't previously used all of the federal payment for handling demonstrations. The surplus amounts to about $7 million and is held by the Office of Management and Budget.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)