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Ind. city approves $300K settlement with fire, police departments

Evansville City Council said the money will be split among fire and police to settle a lawsuit over changes to their health insurance plan

By FireRescue1 Staff

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A dispute between a city and its fire and police departments over benefit changes was put to rest with a six-figure lawsuit.

Evansville Courier & Press reported that city council members approved a $300,000 settlement after both the firefighter and police unions underwent court-ordered mediation with the city over changes to their 2017 health insurance plan.

A lawsuit was filed last December to stop the changes, but the injunction was denied. However, the court ruled that contract negotiations would be reopened.

City Controller Russ Lloyd Jr. said the settlement money will be split between firefighters and police officers who were receiving benefits from the city in 2016. Each employee will receive around $245.