In a surprise move, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted today to roll back a controversial sales tax increase.

At the start of her term, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle had pledged to roll back the sales tax by a quarter of a percent in 2012 and another quarter of a percent in 2013. Today, she made good on that promise.

The county board voted 12 to 5 to pass the plan. But the vote came as surprise to some including Commissioner William Beavers of the county’s 4th district.

“To tell you the truth, when I looked up, I didn’t even know if I was even notified that it was going to be a county board meeting,” Beavers said.

Beavers was one of the 5 who voted against the roll back. The move comes as the board considers Preckwinkle’s budget proposal which could result in layoffs and mandatory furlough days.