The Watauga County Commissioners voted 3-2 not to hold a referendum for a quarter-cent sales tax increase. The revenues would have gone toward retiring the county’s $74 million debt, most of which was attributable to construction of the new high school. Nathan Miller, David Blust, and Vince Gable opposed putting the measure on the ballot. They did so in spite of pressure from a room full of school administrators, teachers, and parents of students who were afraid of what state budget cuts would do to the schools. The commissioners must now choose another means of balancing their budget. Cuts and use of reserve funds are available options.