BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A Birmingham police retiree, fire fighter union president, activist and vocal resident all came to City Hall today to chide City Council members for a plan to increase their compensation and up Mayor William Bell's unchecked spending allowance.

Several in opposition arrived at City Hall this morning to express their discontent during the regular council meeting.

One proposal involves increasing Bell's discretionary spending limit from the current $10,000 person transaction to as much as $50,000. The mayor currently is limited to $9,999 without requiring council approval.

Another proposal involves increasing council pay from the current $25,000 a year in salary and expenses. Austin proposed approving a $10,000 raise for the next council beginning in 2017.

In addition, the council could act now to increase its own expense allowance, which is still money that goes directly toward council compensation, but without the required timeline for an official salary increase.

Under state law, an incumbent council is barred from increasing its own salary. Increasing the expense allowance goes around that prohibition.

Austin wants to do both: Increase the official salary for the 2017 council and act now to increase the expense allowance for the current body.

Brenda Dickerson questioned whether city leaders were taking their responsibility as public stewards seriously.

"What you are responsible for doing is big and not to be taken lightly," she said.

Dickerson noted that Bell and several council members often note their Christianity and tie their public service to their religion.

But she pressed them, asking if their actions at City Hall were truly reflective of the virtues they espoused.

"Are the actions of the council and mayor consistent with Christian teachings?" she asked.

Dickerson received support from others in the audience, who applauded, which was quickly interrupted by Austin's gavel.

"No, we're not going to have any applause," he said.

Resident Jim King and Don Baker, president of Birmingham Firefighters Local 117, both questioned the proposed spending and said residents were watching.

"I urge caution," Baker said. "Everyone is watching."

Baker said when employees seek raises, city leaders often ask about evaluations. Likewise, the same should apply to council members seeking a pay increase.

"We all want a raise," said Valinda Chappell, a retired police officer. "I don't remember you all agreeing to raise the money for retiree insurance."

The council in August approved an alternative insurance plan for more than 500 retirees that include a 30 percent increase to the insured. The plan was an alternative to even higher increases for retirees but was still panned by them as too severe.

Chappell, who was among the group pleading for more relief to higher insurance rates for retirees, said city officials have the wrong priorities when it comes to spending.

Rather than spending money to benefit the people, she said the mayor and council seek funding for frivolity such as parties, dinners and personal raises.

"The budget, the shifting of the money and these types of things have to be cleared up," Baker said.