Collegedale Commissioner Larry Hanson talks Thursday about the upcoming vote on health care benefits for city employees’ same-sex spouses.IF YOU GOThe Collegedale City Commission meets Monday at 6 p.m. at City Hall, which is located at 4910 Swinyar Drive.
WHAT DOES THE RESOLUTION SAY?• Collegedale employees who are legally married in any state that recognizes their marriage will be provided spousal and family health insurance.• Any employee seeking such coverage must produce an official marriage document of the state in which they were married to the Human Resources Manager.• This policy will go into effect at the beginning of the next renewal period of the city’s employee health insurance program, which is in January.
Collegedale City Commissioner Katie Lamb expected plenty of pushback when she announced that she supports extending family benefits to city employees in same-sex marriages.
But instead of criticism, she found herself receiving congratulatory phone calls and notes from former students across the country, and applause from acquaintances around town after the story went viral.
“I only got two negative phone calls, and a few disapproving emails,” she said. “Even some of the most conservative people I have known over my 42 years here have told me I’m doing the right thing. I’ve been surprised.”