By Ray King
By a vote of 6 to 2, the Pine Bluff City Council during a special called meeting Wednesday agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by former police officer Julie Hilliard earlier this year.
Hilliard, a 14-year veteran, was fired in January 2024 and claimed in the lawsuit that the city violated her rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the city retaliated against her for exercising her federally protected rights.
The complaint also implied potential racial motivations behind the disciplinary actions taken against Hilliard, a white female.
The lawsuit was filed in January of this year and Sara Monaghan, an attorney for the Arkansas Municipal League, recommended the council accept the settlement so that the matter would be closed.
Mayor Vivian Flowers also recommended that the council accept the settlement, expressing concern that taking the case to trial could cost the city a significant amount of money.
Interim Police Chief Shirley Warrior talked about the terms of the settlement.
As a part of the settlement, the city did not admit any liability or wrongdoing and also agreed to make the necessary contributions to Hilliard’s retirement in order to make the retirement the amount it would have been on the date of the reinstatement had she not been fired.
Council Members Steven Mays and Lanette Frazier both voted no, and Frazier explained her vote after the meeting.
Voting for the settlement were Council Members Lloyd Holcomb Jr., Glen Brown Jr., Bruce Lockett, LaTisha Brunson, Yvonne Denton and William Fells.
After the meeting, Lockett explained his vote.
The mayor said she called the special meeting so that council members would have time to question the Municipal League attorney and not take up extra time during the regular council meeting scheduled for Monday.
