St. Cloud is the first small rural town in Central Florida to adopt domestic partner benefits for city employees, according to Equality Florida.
On Sept. 9, the St. Cloud mayor and city commissioners approved the benefits in a 3-2 vote.
“These benefits are becoming standard for local governments,” said Equality Florida field director Joe Saunders.
Kissimmee City Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, who led the charge to pass domestic partner benefits for city employees in St. Cloud’s sister city, attended the St. Cloud meeting.
“Today the St. Cloud City Commission made a bold step toward valuing all of their employees,” said Grieb in a press release. “I’m so proud of our sister city for taking action to stay a competitive government employer and for respecting all families.”
St. Cloud is the fourth Central Florida municipality in the last three years to add domestic partner benefits for city employees, joining Kissimmee, Orlando, and Orange County.
“I think that's significant as well,” Saunders said.
