The Russellville City Council followed the recommendation of its Finance Committee and voted 5-2 in favor of a settlement with former Fire Chief John Cochran during Thursday’s regular meeting.
City Attorney Trey Smith explained he had been in contact with attorneys representing Cochran since he received a letter from the former fire chief, who first came to Russellville in 1978.
The terms agreed on included: Cochran’s attorneys asked for $7,500, in addition to about $1,998 that came from a six-month insurance premium. The city would also publish on its website a four-paragraph letter that recognized the chief for his work for the city during the last nine years as chief and his tenure with the Russellville Fire Department (RFD) and to disseminate publicly that he did a good job.
In exchange, Smith said Cochran would sign a release forever barring any claims against the city of Russellville or city officials in a personal and official capacity.
Smith explained this is the lowest settlement that has ever been proposed since he’s been in the city 16 years. He, Mayor Randy Horton and Alderwoman Freddie Harris all agreed after the Finance Committee that this was the best solution from a financial standpoint and the best solution for everyone to move forward.