TODAY’S TMJ4 reports that the 2.3% tax levy was adopted by a 12-7 vote and County Executive Chris Abele’s 2012 budget was adopted by a 13-6 vote.

The Milwaukee County Board also voted for smaller fee hikes on transportation fees and rates and quickly breezed through language that would raise premiums for retirees and current county employees.

On Monday afternoon, the County Board voted to restore about 27 of the 133 Sheriff’s deputy positions that County Executive Chris Abele’s budget cut.

It also restored about half of Abele’s $3 million cut to paramedic subsidies to local municipalities.

Abele’s proposal seeks to close a $55 million dollar budget shortfall by reducing the Sheriff’s Department’s budget and forcing county employees to pay more for health care coverage.

To read the rest of the story and to hear County Executive Chris Abele’s comments on the comptroller and tax levy click here.