WATERLOO -- City officials may ask ask the Bush-Cheney campaign to pick up the tab for Vice President Dick Cheney's visit Friday.

But if a similar request by city leaders in Dubuque is any indication, Waterloo may hear "tough luck" from the campaign and the federal government.

Cheney's visit could cost the city thousands of dollars. Waterloo will need to pay overtime to off-duty and reserve police officers, who will work security and direct traffic around Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center before and after Cheney speaks at 4 p.m.

Waterloo typically absorbs the cost of such visits, but this time the city may ask the campaign to foot the bill, said Michelle Weidner, chief financial officer.

"We have to juggle resources to cover (these costs)," Weidner said. "It doesn't seem reasonable for the local governments to pay for these visits."

As of this morning, city officials didn't know how much Cheney's visit would cost. Courier archives show that a two-stop visit in 1986 by then Vice President George Bush cost Waterloo police more than $10,000.

Several Midwest cities -- including Dubuque -- charged the campaign for similar costs after President Bush visited the region in early May.

Dubuque city officials sent the campaign a $10,000 bill. That covered police overtime pay, security expenses, and city buses and trolleys that shuttled attendees to the venue, said city spokeswoman Susan Gwiasda.

The campaign sent a $1,400 check for the buses and trolleys, Gwiasda said. But the Secret Service refused to pay for security.

A letter to Dubuque officials, which Gwiasda sent to the Courier, reads: "Historically, the Secret Service has called upon state and local law enforcement for assistance in protecting the president, vice president, and other persons authorized protection by federal law. The Secret Service recognizes that our law enforcement counterparts may incur additional expenses during these protective assignments. However, … the Secret Service is not legally able to reimburse such expenses."

Cheney's visit is Friday afternoon, which means less off-duty manpower is needed.

"More officers work during the week, so that will aleviate some of the overtime issues," Waterloo Police Capt. Bruce Arends said.