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Board approves $12,500 contingency for Market at Markleyville as residents press for fish stocking and facilities
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Summary
Facing cuts to prior tobacco and CASB funding, Alpine County approved a $12,500 contingency appropriation April 7 to support the 2026 Market at Markleyville. Multiple public commenters and business owners urged investment in fish stocking and public restrooms to sustain tourism.
The Alpine County Board of Supervisors approved a $12,500 appropriation from general‑fund contingency on April 7 to support the 2026 Market at Markleyville after staff said prior CAPTCHI/tobacco and CASB funding streams were reduced or cut.
JT Shevall (speaker 1), the county’s economic development director, told the board the item was being brought because prior funding was no longer available and that contingency was a last resort to run the market series from May through October. He asked the board to consider longer‑term sustainability and suggested the ad hoc tourism committee review the market for 2027 planning.
HHS director Angela Slace (speaker 23) explained the tobacco funding issue: an audit found the county exceeded sponsorship limits under the tobacco program, forcing the county to reduce sponsor support; the CASB (federal pass‑through) funding was abruptly cut in early March. She said county staff would continue to explore whether CASB funds could still be spent under legal constraints.
Several local business owners and residents pressed the board for more support for fish stocking and for public restroom facilities in Markleyville, arguing fishing drives tourism and that past stocking and hot‑springs access directly benefit downtown businesses. Phil Alstrom (speaker 5), owner of Carson River Resort, and Doug Busey (speaker 17), a longtime fishing reporter, described multi‑decade ties between anglers and local businesses and urged the board to prioritize fish funding.
Finance director Klaus Leitmour (speaker 27) said the market funding question will factor into the upcoming budget development, and trustees agreed to consider a post‑season recap of market vendors, attendance and lessons learned. Speaker 10 moved to approve the appropriation; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
The board directed staff to report back at the end of the season with vendor counts, event photos and an evaluation to inform future funding decisions.
