City Manager Clint Quilter has said officials won't release merchandise revenue figures from the Hollister Motorcycle Rally until Sept. 18, more than three months after the event's completion.
Quilter attributed the further delay to officials' compiling of a comprehensive report they expect to present to Hollister City Council members at that meeting.
Mayor Doug Emerson, meanwhile, said he hadn't seen the final numbers, but he noted how officials expect sales figures won't meet expectations.
"If we sold them all, there would have been a report the next day," said Emerson, adding that ideally he would want to see the numbers immediately.
The city this year for the first time was involved with selling "official" rally merchandise, most notably T-shirts. Quilter to this point has said numbers hadn't been finalized. He also wouldn't indicate Tuesday whether he expects a profit or loss on the merchandise, which the city invested more than $350,000 to buy. That doesn't include the share of law enforcement costs the city agreed to pick up as part of the agreement.
Emerson said while he hadn't been aware of sales numbers of the actual numbers, he expects to get a breakdown from Quilter on Tuesday. Emerson said he could only guess at the figures and declined to offer an estimate.
The Hollister Free Lance followed up Tuesday by submitting a public records request to Quilter asking for the current numbers or any documents that indicate a net profit or loss for the city.
For the first time this year, Hollister officials invested in rally merchandise and, at the time of its approval in late January, touted a potential to earn thousands of dollars that could go toward the ailing general fund. Quilter had predicted a profit even if just 60 percent of the merchandise sold. As to whether or not the city will continue to sell rally merchandise in the future, Emerson felt that it would be a discussion topic for the city council.
This year's rally was unique in its organizational change. The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce - which also sold merchandise to raise money - oversaw the event as a whole. The chamber contracted with the private promoter, Horse Power Promotions, and the city as well. Chamber President and CEO Jessica French said the group is waiting for the city to announce results of T-shirt sales to complete its own financial assessment.
French did note that many businesses in the area were happy with results from the rally weekend.
Colin McConville Colin McConville is a reporter with the Hollister Free Lance. You can reach him by email or at (831) 637-5566.
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