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GREENSBORO -- The Guilford County Commission held a special meeting Wednesday to talk about putting a quarter-cent sales tax hike on the ballot in November. The sales tax increase would bring the rate up to 8 percent.

"It would not apply to motor vehicles, prescription drugs, certain medical equipment and gasoline," Commissioner John Parks explained.

Leaders say the sales tax increase is needed to pay for the county's bond debt. Some commissioners favor an increase in sales tax over raising property taxes.

"And I'd much rather see this go out for the public to vote on for a sales tax then I had for us to sit here and vote and put the burden on the homeowners of this county while foreclosures are rising in the county a second round. I think it would be a determent to the county to do that so I'll be supporting it," Commissioner Billy Yow said.

Commissioners approved putting the issue on the November ballot by a 9-to-1 vote. Steve Arnold was the only one on the board to vote against the proposal.

"I do believe and have believed all these many years that government is too big at all levels, that taxes are too high, that it has been my responsibility I've felt to do all that I can to make sure that taxes are not increased," Arnold said.

Ultimately, the decision will be left in the hands of voters. Chairman Skip Alston hopes people understand the increase is necessary to take care of voter-approved bond debt.

"And I hope that they can see that over the past 2 years, we've been efficient therefore we need some relief on the taxpayers, therefore they would go ahead and vote for this quarter-cent sales tax that would help us pay back the debt that they voted on in 2008," Alston said.

Alston says it's been two years since Guilford county has seen a sales tax increase.