City Council Votes in Favor of Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses of City Employees

The Smyrna City Council has voted to provide the same benefits provided to the spouses of heterosexual city employees to those who are in long-term same-sex relationships, the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

The council voted 5-2 in favor of amending the city’s insurance policy to support same-sex couples during its Monday meeting, with council members Corky Welch and Melleny Pritchett voting against the measure. Councilman Ron Fennel said that his decision did not reflect any stance on the issue of same-sex marriage, but was simply meant to ensure that all spouses of city employees are treated equally with respect to insurance benefits.

Under the newly-adopted policy, couples who are legally married in states which recognize same-sex marriages will be granted health insurance coverage and bereavement privileges that heterosexual couples now have. Same-sex couples are already given retirement benefits due to federal regulations.

In order to receive the benefits, same-sex couples need to be jointly responsible for living expenses, live at the same address, and plan to stay together indefinitely.

Last July, council members Teri Anulewicz, Andrea Blustein, and Wade Lnenicka all voiced support of the proposal to the Marietta Daily Journal, while Councilman Charles Welch said he would vote against the measure.

Welch said he would vote against the proposal due to fears it would be taken advantage of by heterosexual people living together as roommates who wish to gain Smyrna city employee benefits fraudulently. Welch added that he was morally opposed to same-sex partnerships, adding to his decision to vote no.

The measure was tabled during the council’s Oct. 27 meeting by a 4-3 vote, with council members Wade Lnenicka, Susan Wilkinson, and Teri Anulewicz voting against postponement.

With the adoption of the new policy, the City of Smyrna is the first governmental body in Cobb County to offer spousal benefits to same-sex couples.

Further Reading:

July 30: Smyrna Considers Giving Benefits to Same-Sex Couples
Nov. 7: Smyrna Postpones Same-Sex Benefits Vote Until Next Year