Kansas City's Finance and Governance Committee today endorsed a settlement that would resolve a lawsuit filed last year by the Fraternal Order of Police. The full Council is expected to sign off on the settlement agreement on Thursday.

The settlement would release $5 million for police raises that Kansas City had been holding back on. It also paves the way to create a consolidated health insurance plan serving not only city employees but also police.

Councilman John Sharp said it's good news, because the bigger the employee pool, the more clout city government will have to hold health insurance costs down. The Port Authority and some other small government agencies must also join the bigger pool.

The deal would also pave the way for some pension reforms in the police department, which still must be approved by the state of Missouri.