This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A politically charged proposal to extend benefits to partners of gay employees could place Salt Lake County out in front of - and probably alone among - Utah governments.
A vote on County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson's plan is expected today, and if it's adopted, Salt Lake County would become Utah's only government employer to offer domestic-partner benefits, which includes insurance for health, dental and life as well as funeral leave.
The state doesn't. Other counties don't. And cities, including Salt Lake City, haven't touched the controversial measure.
"It would be a landmark decision for our state," said Valerie Larabee, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Utah.
Wilson used the University of Utah - the school offers such benefits for its employees - as her research model, and insists the cost to taxpayers would be minimal.
"It ends up being really, a very limited number," said Wilson, a Democrat, adding analysts estimate an annual tab between $35,000 and $75,000. "It's certainly not going to break the bank and is a good policy as a large employer. It's basically a matter of fairness."
But some of Wilson's colleagues on the council worry less about the pennies than the politics of the move.
"I hope I don't sound bigoted, but I think we're going down the wrong road morally," Republican Councilman David Wilde said Monday. He also worries about recriminations from conservative state lawmakers.
"It will just be one more thing to get Salt Lake County on the wrong side of the [state] Legislature," he said.
Fellow Republican Mark Crockett was more circumspect on the upcoming decision, expected mostly to mirror party lines.
"I would hate for us to pass something that accidentally undermines our priority on marriage," he said. "At the same time, I'd certainly like to find any way to be fair. It's a tricky issue."
Unless at least one Republican agrees with Wilson's proposal - they hold a 5-4 advantage on the council - the benefits will remain an idea.
But if Wilson musters the votes, Democratic Mayor Peter Corroon has pledged his support.
"If they pass it, he'll sign it," Chief Administrative Officer Doug Willmore confirmed Monday.
Analysts at the county estimate less than 2 percent of its 1,100 unmarried health-care subscribers are gay, and say the number of people eligible for domestic-partner benefits is probably fewer than 100.
Wilson emphasized the policy targets only employees of the county, not the population at large.
"As a society, we are already covering these people," she said. "Its time has come."
Still, officials from the Utah League of Cities and Towns, say they have never even considered conducting a survey on the issue.
Roughly two years ago, Republican Councilman Steve Harmsen mulled the same move, which died for fear of a veto by former Mayor Nancy Workman, according to Councilman Joe Hatch.
Hatch, a Democrat, said he hopes this council does the "decent" thing this time around.
"Gay employees are caring, creative, wonderful employees of the county. They deserve similar treatment to those who happen to be married," he said. "This is a no-brainer."
Jane Marquardt, interim executive director for Equality Utah, says passing the policy would show that Salt Lake County values the contributions of its unmarried employees.
Michael Picardi agrees. As chairman of Utah Stonewall Democrats, a gay and lesbian caucus to the Democratic Party, Picardi says Wilson's proposal could help boost employee morale and even spur economic development.
"This would really let people who work for the county want to stay there."
Who would qualify
To qualify for domestic-partner benefits, individuals must:
* Sign an affidavit stating they and their partners have resided together for at least 12 months.
* Be over 18 and not related to their partners by blood.
* Provide three verifications of living arrangements. Possible examples: a will, mortgage, power of attorney or joint-lease agreement.