"This is a logical move to the private-employer world," City Councilman Eric Jergensen said Tuesday as the council got its first glimpse of Becker's progressive plan. He went on to say the registry - a tool to help employers determine eligibility for benefits for adult residents who cohabit and rely on one another as dependents - is a "logical extension" of the capital's adult-designee ordinance, passed in 2006.

During Tuesday's briefing, Becker's chief of staff, David Everitt, gave assurances that no additional employees would be needed to administer the index, which would be funded by a $25 fee, not tax dollars.

The council scheduled a public hearing on the registry for Feb. 5 at City Hall, where a vote also is expected.

Unveiled on Becker's third day in office, the proposed ordinance does not assume a romantic relationship between domestic partners. Rather, it allows for an array of domestic dependents, including extended-family members, siblings and parents.

Council members asked that more examples of those relationships, such as brothers or parent and grandparent, be included.

Since the city enacted the adult-designee rule nearly two years ago, Everitt noted, just 22 percent of the employees who have taken advantage of it have been same-sex couples. Ten percent, he noted, designated their mother.

Without naming the company, Jergensen implied Delta Air Lines officials have said a registry is exactly what they need to provide domestic-partner benefits.

Perhaps as an indication of the plan's broad support, Jergensen's fellow conservative, Councilman Van Turner, also praised the plan.

"It's the right thing to do," he told Becker's representatives, "and I like the way you presented it."

djensen@sltrib.com

Policy planned on honorific naming

In the wake of recent street-name changes - from Japantown to Corporal Adam Galvez - Salt Lake City leaders want to establish a naming-rights policy.

Instead of streets, City Council members might want to use parks to honor individuals - or even park benches with plaques. The City Council agreed Tuesday to form a subcommittee to help write comprehensive rules for a variety of public places.

- Derek P. Jensen