The Watauga County Commissioners were inundated with requests for more funding during the public hearing accepting comments on the proposed budget. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce requested any portion of the $14,000 they requested, but which got cut back to zero. Folks representing the Hospitality House argued their existence was mandated by the state, and they served the needy with great accountability. Parent to Parent, the Watauga County Library, the Children’s Playhouse, Green Valley Park, Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation, the Board of Elections, the Board of Education, the Community Care Clinic, the Southern Appalachian Historical Association, and the Hunger and Health Coalition asked for continuation budget funding. Brian Cornell, executive director of the Children’s Council, asked the county to decrease his organization’s request for a $5000 disbursement to $4000.