ARLINGTON – The state plans to set aside about $13.3 million in sales taxes for use by three local cities and the private committee organizing the 2010 NBA All-Star Game at Cowboys Stadium.

The Arlington City Council approved an agreement with the organizing committee and the state comptroller's office Tuesday for a financial tool known as the Major Events Trust Fund. Using estimates of how much money the game and related activities will generate, some of those taxes will be put into the fund to help offset costs for items such as signs, security and sidewalks.

A portion of the tax dollars expected by the cities will also be placed in the fund, which increases the pool to more than $15.4 million.

"It's an important part of the process," said council member Gene Patrick. "The state should play a part. This is bigger than only the city or the county."

The 2010 NBA All-Star Local Organizing Committee will receive the largest share of the money: $13.28 million. Dallas will get $1.73 million; Arlington stands to get $399,500; and Fort Worth will be entitled to $25,000.

The calculations are based on anticipated spending by people from outside Texas.

The NBA expects about 85,000 people at the game, but 300,000 without tickets could also come.

Although the game is scheduled for Feb. 14 at Cowboys Stadium, most All-Star events will be in Dallas.

The Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam and a skills competition that features the three-point and slam dunk contests will be held at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Dallas Convention Center will host the NBA All-Star Jam Session, which is similar to the NFL Experience at the Super Bowl.

A trust fund is also planned for the 2011 Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium.

Arlington's portion of the fund for the NBA event is to be used for event planning and coordination needed by departments ranging from police to the city attorney. Some money will also be used for signage and sidewalks.

Dallas plans to use its share for public safety, emergency medical expenses, crowd and traffic control and city planning.

The payments will have to meet guidelines set by state law for allowable expenses, said R.J. DeSilva, a comptroller's office spokesman.

"We review all invoices no matter who submits them," he said.

The cities' contributions to the fund will not take up all the increased sales tax from the events. Dallas expects to receive $760,000 in taxes above what it is contributing, and Arlington could gain an additional $200,000. Fort Worth stands to get more than $621,000 in added revenue.

The Arlington council is also planning to vote on an ordinance next month to limit what is described as "ambush marketing." That would put limits on third-party marketing initiatives near Cowboys Stadium that are seeking to profit from the All-Star Game and Super Bowl XLV.

City officials have already agreed with the two leagues to put the restrictions in place.

Some rules include bans on temporary signs, projected-image signs, inflatables and building wraps within one mile of the stadium.