The release of the merchandise sales comes after the Free Lance
put in a public records request last week to obtain the numbers
regarding the T-shirt sales at the July rally.
HOLLISTER
City Manager Clint Quilter confirmed that officials will release numbers on the rally merchandise sales today to the Free Lance and he said a special presentation will be made to council members Monday.
The release of the merchandise sales comes after the Free Lance put in a public records request last week to obtain the numbers regarding the T-shirt sales at the July rally.
The release of the numbers is set to come nearly two months after the rally ended. This was the first year the city was involved with selling “official” rally merchandise, most notably T-shirts. The sales were done in attempt to help pay for some or all of the law enforcement costs at the rally – and potentially have some profit leftover.
Quilter to this point had said numbers hadn’t been finalized, then that officials would present a report to the Hollister City Council on Sept. 18. He also hasn’t indicated whether he expects a profit or loss on the merchandise, which the city invested more than $350,000 to buy.
As Hollister officials decided to invest in rally merchandise in late January, they 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.
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 has said the group is waiting for the city to announce results of T-shirt sales to complete its own financial assessment.
