Business owners, commissioners push for fundraising push and marketing committee for Alpine County fisheries

Phil Alstrom, speaking from the public, urged the commission to build a systematic fundraising campaign and offered to prepare draft letters to outside funders.

"We need to put together a letter from you commissioners," Alstrom said, identifying himself as "Phil Alstrom, Carson River Resort," and suggesting outreach to national foundations and retailers he described as potential sources of grants and donations.

Alstrom and other public commenters argued that Alpine County has lost funding over recent years because of natural disasters, transient-occupancy-tax changes and other pressures. "We fit the criteria perfectly for this," Alstrom said, urging the commission to seek gifts and to create a process to ask regularly.

Commissioners discussed forming a small marketing committee to draft a master letter that could be personalized for different organizations. One commissioner suggested having Todd and Phil lead the effort; another said the commission could present a recommended donation figure to the Board of Supervisors to request supplemental funding.

Commissioners also discussed coordinating the dates for kids fishing events with neighboring counties and building a local fundraising vehicle similar to Bridgeport's fish enhancement fund so donors can contribute year-round.

No formal vote was recorded on fundraising in the transcript; commissioners agreed to add the draft letter and marketing plan to a future agenda for approval.