Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker is threatening to veto a budget that was approved by the Milwaukee County Board on Monday.

The board approved total expenditures for 2009 of $1.4 billion. Under the budget, the 2009 tax levy would be $257.7 million, up 3.12 percent from the 2008 levy of $249.9 million. With the budget, the owner of a home valued at $150,000 in the City of Milwaukee would see the county portion of the annual property tax bill rise by approximately $12.17, when factoring in the city's average assessment increase of 2.54.

The board noted that the tax levy increase of 3.12 is below the state tax levy increase limit of 13.03 percent, the city's 4.8-percent levy increase and the Milwaukee Public Schools levy increase of 14.6 percent.

However, Walker remains opposed to any county tax increase.

"While I appreciate the hard work done by members of the county board on the 2009 budget, I regret that their final product will raise the property tax levy by almost $7.8 million. Our budget does not raise the tax levy while it protects and improves core county services. Our budget attacked the structural deficit by enacting reforms and moving to contract for more services from outside county government. Now, more than ever, leaders must decide whether county government is an employment service or a provider of core services. I choose the latter," Walker said. "The people of Milwaukee County cannot afford the current cost of county government. High costs for heating fuel, gas, groceries and mortgages are making it tough for working families, older adults and small business owners. We need to keep taxes low to protect people like them. We will review all of the amendments to the 2009 budget this week and I am prepared to use my veto pen to get back to a budget that does not raise our taxes."

The county board rejected Walker's efforts to outsource and seek privatization of many services, including fleet management, the Behavioral Health Division and the operation of General Mitchell International Airport.

In addition, the board restored several jobs that Walker had proposed cutting, including court operations, child support enforcement and parks maintenance. The board also rejected Walker's proposed increases of fares on Milwaukee County buses.

"I'm very pleased with what we were able to accomplish, especially when you compare it to the budget that was originally presented to the board," said Lee Holloway, chairman of the board. "It's a difficult balance, but we did a great job in keeping our costs down while resisting many of the fee increases and outsourcing the County Executive had proposed. We have crafted a budget that is progressive."

The tax levy was approved by a 12-to-7 vote. Supervisors who voted in favor of adopting the levy were: Gerry Broderick, Toni Clark, Elizabeth Coggs, Marina Dimitrijevic, Lee Holloway, Willie Johnson, Jr., Chris Larson, Theodore Lipscomb, Michael Mayo Sr., Patricia Jursik, Johnny Thomas and Peggy West. Supervisors voting against the levy were: Mark Borkowski, Paul Cesarz, Lynne De Bruin, Joseph Rice, Joe Sanfelippo, Jim Luigi Schmitt and John Weishan Jr.

The county board will consider any vetoes from the county executive on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.