Little Rock board adds $450,000 police employment settlement to consent agenda

The City of Little Rock Board of Directors on Feb. 3 approved adding a $450,000 settlement of a multi-plaintiff employment lawsuit involving current and former Little Rock Police Department officers to the consent agenda.

City Attorney Tom told the board the total settlement — including plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees — is $450,000 and that, under the city’s customary arrangements with the Arkansas Municipal League defense program, employment-discrimination damages are typically split 50/50. He said the city plans to issue checks so plaintiffs receive payment and will pursue the Municipal League for its contractual share if the League does not fulfil its obligation.

"We have reviewed the settlement agreement and we are comfortable with going forward," Tom said during his presentation, and he asked the board to approve a resolution that would permit the city to issue payment while reserving the right to amend the resolution or sue the Municipal League if needed.

Directors pressed for clarity about whether the League had signed any mediation memorandum and whether attorney fees were included. Tom confirmed attorney fees were part of the $450,000 figure and said there had been a court-ordered mediation that produced a settlement agreement; he added that the Municipal League raised concerns about the amount prior to an earlier meeting, which delayed prior action.

The board voted to add the settlement resolution to the consent agenda. It was subsequently adopted as part of the consent package, which also included multiple procurement contracts and another settlement listed under a separate consent item.

City officials said issuing the checks resolves the immediate litigation between the plaintiffs and the city; any dispute over the Municipal League’s contractual contribution would be litigated between the city and the League, leaving the officers’ releases intact.