With a 4-2 vote by the City Commission, the City of Lakeland will move forward with a financial study to learn the financial impact of providing benefits to same-sex partners of city employees.
The step is seen as a giant one for equality activists, given that Polk County is known for its conservative views. Consideration of the measure was not passed without opinionated discussions, however.
â┚¬Å”We're using taxpayer money for a social contract that is illegal,â┚¬Â commissioner Howard Wiggs told the commission, referring to Amendment 2, which bans same-sex marriage and prohibits recognizing any contract resembling marriage for same-sex couples. â┚¬Å”It's an inappropriate use of taxpayer money.â┚¬ÂÂ
Wiggs and fellow commissioner Phillip Walker voted against the measure, which is only a cost-analysis at this point.
Commissioner Justin Troller, who voted in favor of moving forward, said the measure is â┚¬Å”a good, proactive policy. I'm all for it.â┚¬ÂÂ
Commissioners Edie Yates, Keith Merritt and Don Selvage all voted in favor of the measure to receive more information about same-sex benefits.
One point of contention between the two sides surrounded benefit opportunities for opposite-sex, unmarried couples. Wiggs asked how it could be fair to not include unmarried heterosexual couples in any ordinance that would provide benefits.
Selvage explained that since heterosexual couples can marry, a measure providing unmarried benefits was unnecessary.
Walker, who did not say much during the meeting, said he was morally opposed to offering benefits to same-sex partners, adding that unmarried heterosexual couples should be included in any measure providing couples to same-sex partners.
â┚¬Å”Do it for everyone if you're going to do it,â┚¬Â Walker said in the meeting.
Karen Lukhaub, director of risk management and purchasing for the city, explained that same-sex partners of city employees would be required to complete several requirements, including signing an affidavit saying they are not married and evidence of the partnership, such as a joint checking account or joint ownership of a home or vehicle.
According to the Lakeland Ledger, the commission discussed same-sex benefits after Lakeland resident and former Ledger editor proposed the idea in February, and cited similar benefit programs in Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg.
