2012-910 �L• AN.
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-910
A RESOLUTION TO EXTEND HEALTH CARE BENEFTS TO ALL OTHERWISE
QUALIFYING CITY AND LIBRARY DOMESTIC PARTNER EMPLOYEES AND THEIR
FAMILIES
WHEREAS the City and Library have a non-discrimination policy which states all persons are
given equal consideration without regard to race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin,
handicap as defined in the Americans with Disability Act, ancestry, arrest or conviction record,
marital status, membership in Military Reserve, sexual orientation, or age..."; and
WHEREAS the City and Library are committed to being a leader within the community with
regard to diversity..."; and
WHEREAS, the City and Library are committed to equal treatment of all employee families and
couples; an inequity currently exists concerning certain employee benefits for same gender
and opposite gender employees that is contrary to a fundamental sense of human fairness;
and
WHEREAS, employers compensate employees through more than just wages and salary by
providing benefits such as health plan coverage, with the traditional benefits structure including
an employee's opposite-sex spouse and children;
WHEREAS, extension of all benefits not currently required by law to be extended to same
gender and opposite gender employees and their families would satisfy this fundamental
fairness inequity and be in the best interest of and benefit to the City and the Library, its
employees, taxpayers, and community; and
WHEREAS, such extension of benefits including, but not limited to, health care, prescription
drug, dental, and vision care benefit packages to same gender and opposite gender domestic
partners who otherwise would qualify (e.g. vesting requirements, hours per week, etc.) would
increase the attractiveness of the City and the Library's employment benefit package, thus,
significantly facilitating successful employee recruitment and retention; and
WHEREAS, current societal standards as annunciated by the State of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
County, the Cities of Madison, Milwaukee, Fitchburg, Appleton, other Wisconsin communities,
many institutions of higher education, and private sector employers is to extend health care to
all qualifying same gender and opposite gender domestic partners and their families; and
WHEREAS, Wis. Stats. Sec. 40.02(21d) provides some limited guidance as to the definition of
"domestic partners" for Wisconsin Retirement System and certain State health insurance
benefit purposes; and
WHEREAS, the General Fund cost is based upon health plan rates that are set prospectively,
and will not vary during the fiscal year, regardless of health claims experience. The annual cost
impact to the General Fund is estimated at $9,915.00 for an employee changing from single to
family medical coverage, plus $633.00 for dental coverage per employee (based on 2012
premium rates).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Janesville that
this Council stands for the proposition that same gender and opposite gender domestic
partners be allowed access to and provided all of the same health care, prescription drug,
dental, vision care, which are extended to opposite gender spouse relationships to which the
latter are currently and, from time to time, may be entitled, and as are allowed by the IRS,
commencing January 1, 2013, to the extent allowed by law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Council requests and directs that the City
Administration:
(a) Study and consult with the City's health care advisors and others to determine
appropriate definitions, standards, and related administrative procedures and processes
for such extension; and
(b) Extend health care, prescription drug, dental, and vision care to all qualifying opposite
gender and same gender domestic partners of Administrative, General Municipal, and
Library employees, and their children commencing January 1 , 2013, to the extent
allowed by law; and
(c) Negotiate as appropriate, the extension of health care, prescription drug, dental, and
vision care to all qualifying opposite gender and same gender domestic partners of
Union employees and their children during collective bargaining negotiations for 2013,
to the extent allowed by law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Administration include the costs arising from such
extension in the proposed budget for fiscal/calendar year 2013.
ADOPTED: November 12 2012 Motion by: Liebert
Second by: Steeber
APPROVE : / Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
Dongarra-Adams X
Farrell X
Eric . Lev. y Manager Kealy X
Liebert X
ATTEST: Severson X
Steeber X
C�� Voskuil X
Je n Ann Wulf, City Clerk-Treasu r
APPROVED AS TO
FORM:1.4(
City Attorney Wald i iczyk
Proposed by: Council Member Liebert and Steeber
Prepared by: City Attorney and Human Resources Director