Hollister July 4th Biker Rally security cost concerns

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION) - This Fourth of July, the streets of Hollister will be buzzing with more than just fireworks.

The city of Hollister, choosing a new security contractor on Friday. Many say it’s worth it, while others are questioning the level of transparency when choosing a contractor. The concern? The cost.

The biker rally, coming back to the city of Hollister for the first time since 2017 after it was cancelled due to safety concerns.

"The police already kind of have their hands full on the 4th of July. There are already people blowing their fingers off, fighting with their wives, and setting their neighbor's dog on fire. I mean, they've already got a circus to deal with. Dealing with a biker rally on top of that does present a logistical problem because we can't be everywhere at once. I understand that. I feel them there. Historically… From my perspective, these bike rallies have been relatively self-regulating," said Pete Lago, a business owner in Hollister.

On Friday, the city chose a new security contractor for the event, costing 270 thousand dollars.

However, people had questions about transparency, saying it's costing too much while the city is going through a budget deficit of around $4 million.

"And for $270,000, you'd want to approve something tonight. Where's the transparency? Where's a contract? How many people? What's the logistics on it?" said a Hollister resident.

Rolan Resendiz, Hollister City Council member, says the rally would cost around $500,000, but not all of it will come out of the city's pocket.

"We currently have $450,000 of sponsorship. Never has that happened. By any other council ever," said Resendiz.

Resendiz said this event may help the city financially.

"Our hotels, we get a tax revenue from our hotels, from our businesses, from the vendors. This is going to drive economic development for the city of Hollister, our business owners, and it's gonna help to preserve our history and our culture at the same time," said Resendiz.

"I'm a big proponent of come and visit us, leave your money and then see you later. So that kind of tourism can keep a town like this from having to grow beyond its britches. A lot of people here are really resiliently trying to hold on to their culture, trying to hold onto their history, trying to keep the town quaint," said Lago.

The city also formed an ad hoc committee just to make sure everything goes as planned…