NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Metropolitan Council on Tuesday voted to offer health insurance and pension benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of city/county “Metro” workers.

The policy change applies to workers employed by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, a city-county consolidated government.

The vote of 27 in favor, 7 against and 2 abstentions, was the final of three required votes, and adds the Metro to a long list of public and private employers across the country that offer domestic partner benefits, reports The Tennessean.

“This is a big day for Nashville,” said Mayor Karl Dean, who recommended the new policy after a majority of council members asked him to study it last fall. “If we believe that each person has value and we treat each other with respect, then I think this city will be in fine shape. I’m proud of the effort, I’m proud of our city and I’m proud of you all.”

Nashville becomes the fourth Tennessee municipality to offer the benefits, which will be available to eligible employees beginning January 1, 2015. The other three cities offering similar benefits are Collegedale, Chattanooga and Knoxville.