ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando is expected to become the first Central Florida city to offer benefits to the partners of gay employees.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the employees will have to sign an affidavit declaring they are in a committed relationship.

Orlando city commissioners are expected to approve the plan on Monday. There are currently 18 Orlando city employees who would benefit from the measure, which would cost the city about $37,000.

Although Orlando may be the first city in Central Florida to adopt the policy, the city is not the first in Florida.

"It's going to be a good thing. It shows we're progressive. It will help us attract good people. Benefits are an important package if you're going to work for government, and this will help us compete with other government agencies," Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said.

The domestic-partner benefits will apply only to same-sex couples because unmarried heterosexual couples have the option to get married, Dyer said.

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