LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A committee recommended that the Lexington-Fayette County Urban County Council do away with health benefits for city employees’ domestic partners.

The intergovernmental committee voted 7-4 to deny domestic partner benefits.

The vote was the latest development in a battle over domestic partner benefits that has included a council moratorium, a mayoral veto of the moratorium and a council override of the veto.

Domestic partner coverage would apply to unmarried same-sex and opposite-sex couples.

Members of the Bluegrass chapter of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance were disappointed by the committee’s vote, but said it wasn’t the final step. David Cupps, treasurer of the Bluegrass chapter, said the council wasn’t bound by the recommendation.

The committee’s recommendation will be discussed the next council work session.

In voting against the benefits, several council members cited increased insurance costs if domestic partner benefits were offered.

Opponents of the domestic partner benefits were pleased that the committee, made up entirely of council members, denied the policy.

“I think it’s the right decision because they realize it’s not their decision to redefine what family is,” said Kent Ostrander, executive director of the Family Foundation.

Mayor Teresa Isaac introduced the health plan change in the spring, angering council members who were upset the mayor never notified them of her plans.

The council reacted by approving a moratorium that would prevent city employees from signing up for domestic partner benefits for three months. But it compromised by agreeing to provide domestic partner benefits to the city employees who had enrolled in the plan before the moratorium was approved.

The moratorium on the benefits ends this month.