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North Miami City Council Adopts Domestic Partner Health Benefit Policy

With a recent, unanimous 5-0 vote, the North Miami City Council adopted a new Procurement Ordinance which requires certain contractors wishing to do business with the City to provide equal health benefits to domestic partners of their own employees.  The ordinance mirrors one passed in 2006 by the City of Miami Beach, though it actually extends a bit further. 

The new North Miami ordinance requires companies with 40-or-more employees bidding on contracts over $75,000.00 to provide Domestic Partner Benefits.  Businesses that do not offer such benefits are precluded from being awarded a contract.

“North Miami continues to be a leader in diversity and sensitivity,” said Councilman Scott Galvin, himself an openly-gay legislator.  “It further demonstrates our city’s maturity to pass this legislation without controversy.”

Mayor Kevin Burns took the lead on introducing the legislation, which was enacted in late-October.

Miami Beach’s similar ordinance, which took affect about 18 months ago, sets the threshold for businesses at 51+ employees and contracts worth over $100,000.00.

The City of North Miami has been offering Domestic Partner Benefits to its own employees since October 2006.  Those benefits are extended to all city employees, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.