More than 50 Dallas Fire-Rescue medics remain unpaid for their work at Fair Park events in 2025, with a total of $27,504 still owed to them. The medics worked at various events from March to August 2025, with individual medics owed between $200 and over $1,500.

Payment Dispute

A payment list obtained by Fox 4 KDFW shows the outstanding amount, and a Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson said that department leaders have requested payment from Oak View Group management, but those requests have gone unanswered. The City of Dallas has not publicly stated whether it will pursue the money on behalf of the medics.

Dallas Firefighters Association President Chris Peterson has urged the city to pay the medics directly and seek reimbursement through its contract dispute with Oak View Group. Peterson suggested that if the city could pay the $27,000 and then add it to the lawsuit, it would solve the problem for the medics.

Contractual Issues

The City of Dallas had a primary management agreement with nonprofit Fair Park First, which subcontracted Oak View Group to provide venue and facilities management and oversee daily operations starting in 2019. However, the city issued Fair Park First a 90-day termination notice in June 2025, citing a flawed structure due to the lack of a direct contractual relationship with Oak View Group.

An independent audit found that $5.7 million in restricted donor funds had been spent on operating expenses and projects outside donor restrictions. Oak View Group disputed the findings, stating that the money remained at Fair Park and that Fair Park First had directed or approved the uses in writing.

Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.