DALLAS — Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson's summer trip to sign a new sister city agreement with Dar es Salaam in Tanzania cost in excess of $40,000, records obtained by WFAA showed.

A portion of the mayor's costs -- which included business class tickets on Qatar Airways and lodging at two luxury safari lodges -- was set to be reimbursed by a fund financed by private donations, the records indicated. The remainder will be funded by taxpayers.

Two staff members were set to accompany the mayor on the eight-day trip in late July, the records showed. In all, the trip cost $44,892.65 -- at least $18,167.47 of which was directly attributed to the mayor's costs, according to the records.

The mayor stayed at five-star hotels on his visit -- including one that boasts an infinity pool with views over

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