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Council asks staff to press Visit Big Bear for greater operational support of signature events including Tour de Big Bear
Summary
Council discussed municipal support for major signature events and directed staff to seek clearer commitments from Visit Big Bear about operational support and funding for traffic, public‑safety and production elements of events such as Tour de Big Bear.
The City Council on July 9 discussed the city’s ongoing support for signature events, with particular focus on the Tour de Big Bear cycling event. Council members and staff agreed to ask Visit Big Bear to clarify and potentially increase operational and financial support for event production and safety needs beyond marketing.
Sean Sullivan (staff) summarized the city’s historical in‑kind and financial support for Tour de Big Bear, noting a recent budget change that reduced the city’s direct subsidy and that Visit Big Bear has provided marketing and some in‑kind support. Council had previously reduced the city’s financial contribution by 25 percent; staff said the city would pay the first $37,500 of traffic‑control costs this year and the event organizers would cover the remaining balance.
Representatives of Tour de Big Bear told council the event drives substantial visitation — the presenter cited roughly 2,100 riders in 2024 from 39 states and seven countries, an estimated 6,000 additional guests, and an economic impact estimate in the millions — and emphasized safety concerns for participants and the public. The event organizer asked the city to help ensure the event’s safety and operation, citing that Visit Big Bear’s past support focused mainly on marketing rather than production or safety staffing.
Council members discussed the policy framework: the TBID MOU with Visit Big Bear assigns many tourism and event duties to the organization. Several council members said Visit Big Bear should assume greater responsibility for signature events and for funding or coordinating public‑safety and traffic control support. Staff was directed to meet with Visit Big Bear before the organization’s August annual report to discuss transitioning signature‑event support and clear expectations about what the MOU covers.
No final budget change was voted at the July 9 meeting; council’s direction was to pursue discussions with Visit Big Bear and return with recommendations when Visit Big Bear presents its annual report.
