HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Nearly 5,000 firefighters lined up Saturday at NRG Arena to claim their checks in a $650 million settlement with the city of Houston, and more are expected to collect Sunday.

The checks make up for seven years of back pay that Houston firefighters worked without a contract due to an impasse between the union and the city during former Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration.

City Comptroller Chris Hollins noted that firefighters were paid less at the time than those working in similarly sized cities.

RELATED: City of Houston delivers $650 million in postpaid settlement checks to firefighters

The case went to court several times, and in the end the city was forced to return to the bargaining table with the union.

Mayor John Whitmire, endorsed by the union, made one of his key campaign promises last year to end the city’s legal dispute with firefighters.

A deal was struck in March, including 34% raises for firefighters over the next five years and $650 million in back pay. But elected officials and the community have disputed the amount and where the money would come from.

Hollins, who is tasked with certifying all financial records that go to the council, previously said the city doesn’t have much cash left, so they would have to issue a bond to pay for it. When considering interest, Hollins estimates it will cost the city more than $1 billion.

In June, Hollins contested the deal and delayed it for several weeks. He finally signed it before the July 1 deadline, when the new fiscal year began.

ALSO: Houston City Council to debate $1 billion firefighter pay Tuesday after moving items last week

Hollins told ABC13 Wednesday that he believes firefighters should be paid what they deserve. But he has also sounded the alarm after saying the city has no plan for where that money will come from.

When Hollins addressed these concerns during Municipal council meeting 31 JulyWhitmire accused him of sharing his political views. However, Hollins insisted there was nothing political about looking at the city’s finances and being concerned that not enough funding was coming in.

The average amount firefighters will see in their paychecks is $165,000. When the lump sum is broken down, firefighters are roughly compensated an extra $20,000 per year. Some will get twice as much.

For more on this story, follow Rosie Nguyen on Facebook, X and Instagram.