Hollister biker rally moves forward despite $4M budget deficit concerns, but why should bikers go?

HOLLISTER, Calif. —

OpEd by Black Dragon, Lavish T. Williams and Pastor Logic

The Hollister Independence Day biker rally is still a go, despite the city looking at a $4 million budget deficit and staring down bankruptcy if major cuts aren’t made.

“We’re putting on our rally this year. We haven’t had it in a few years, but this council agreed that this is important to bring back this very important historical event for our city,” said Mayor Roxanne Stephens.

The biker rally has now become a rallying cry for many employees who are facing pay cuts and possible layoffs. They want city leaders to cancel the event.

“The city has its priorities wrong, and we’re investing in an event that is probably not going to create any revenue. I hope I’m wrong and it does bring millions and millions of dollars, but that’s yet to be seen,” said city employee Rodrigo Aguilera.

The mayor says the biker rally, which hasn’t been held in years, will be cost-neutral; the half-million-dollar price tag to put on the event will be paid for by sponsors and vendors, she says.

“We’re estimating, and it’s based on some really good information from our city manager, people who’ve done these kinds of events, there’s never a guarantee, but it’s looking like we’re going to be cost neutral and we’re going to have a great event,” Mayor Stephens said.

Key words here are “there’s never a guarantee,” and that has many rallying against the rally, demanding it be cancelled as the city eyes bankruptcy if drastic cuts aren’t made.

The city manager, David Mirrione, who recently was the target of a vote of no-confidence by firefighters, suggested other cuts and revenue generators like a sales tax measure, selling city-owned properties, eliminating vacant positions, cancelling the annual fireworks show and eliminating city council travel.

But the biker rally consistently comes up like it did at Monday’s council meeting.

“In 2017, the city of Hollister hosted the biker rally, which, despite vendor fees and revenue generation, still resulted in a deficit to the city. With that historical context in mind, it seems fiscally irresponsible to continue investing in events that drain city resources, especially when we are simultaneously discussing layoffs and wage reductions,” said one speaker.

“While I understand the challenges we are facing with the proposed budget cuts and potential layoffs, I believe that the rally offers a practical solution by bringing in visitors and spending, the rally can help generate the revenue we need to support the very services that are at risk,” added another speaker.

On Monday, the city manager will present his draft budget proposal to the council. The following week, the council is expected to consider it and possibly approve it.

It’s likely the rally, which is scheduled for July 4 and 5, will continue to be part of the discussion.

Source: KSBW8 News