The heated debate over salary raises for North Miami Beach elected officials came back with a vengeance Tuesday, when council members reconsidered their September vote as locals flayed them for the self-appointed increases.

After spending four hours discussing the council's decision to cap city spending by increasing their wages and doing away with expense accounts, council members tabled the matter indefinitely -- essentially keeping the new policy.

Several council members, including John Patrick Julien, wanted to have a final vote on the matter, rather than put it on hold.

``I'm going to live to regret this,'' he muttered into his microphone after the council moved on to another item.

At hand was a reconsideration of the council's September decision to replace its compensation package -- one that included health insurance, travel and other expenses -- with a 10-fold salary increase. Council salaries went from $3,000 to $35,000, and the mayor's salary went from $3,600 to $40,000. Disapproving residents were angered further because Mayor Myron Rosner did not allow public comment.

Subsequent public outcry caused the council to step back and revisit the issue Tuesday, which was set aside as a day for elected officials to hear from residents, the majority of whom made pleas to do away with the salary increases.

Previously, council members said the new policy would save the city money because it would eliminate the city's long-standing policy of paying 100 percent of all medical costs -- even when not covered by insurance -- and all health insurance premiums for council members.

The salary increases were also intended to take the place of reimbursements for travel expenses and monthly allowances for cellphones and cars, according to council members who supported the move. Reimbursements given to all seven council members -- including those in office before the May election -- cost the city $281,507 during fiscal year 2008-09. That includes more than $80,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses for Rosner, Julien and Councilwoman Phyllis Smith.

The combined salaries for all seven council members, including the mayor, will be $250,000 a year.

Julien, who supports the new policy, said issuing a flat salary would do away with having the city foot the bill for travel and medical expenses. It also means more transparency, he said.

Also included in the salary discussion were health benefits for council members. In 2008, the council also did away with city-covered medical co-payments for council members -- although five of the sitting members were grandfathered in. Not included were two council members who took office in May 2009: Beth Spiegel and Barbara Kramer. Both have waived their medical insurance coverage.

During Tuesday's debate, several council members cited concerns over different clauses in the resolution, but only Kramer suggested lowering the compensation packages, the main issue angering residents. Her amendment, which called for lowering each package by $10,000, was quickly shot down 2-5. Only Spiegel voted with Kramer.

``It's not a question of appeasement,'' said Spiegel, adding that the city needs to be ``responsible in a tight economic time.''

``We've heard from a lot of residents, and I don't think we can be unresponsive to them,'' she said.

Julien jokingly suggested the council lower the compensation packages to $1 each.

``Unless we go each go down to $1, we're never going to please the masses,'' Julien said. To Kramer, he added: ``I don't think you're going to accomplish what I think you're trying to accomplish.''

Several disappointed residents who spoke during the meeting, including George Vallejo, walked out of the council chambers after the council's vote.

``Apparently, they just don't want to reduce their compensation,'' George Vallejo said. ``I thought they would've taken the opportunity and appease the complainers and throw them a bone.''

He said council members hid behind ``disagreements over language'' in the resolution, refusing to address the dollar figure .

When asked by the city clerk whether the council will revisit the decision, the mayor gave a half-hearted response.

``Not necessarily,'' said Rosner.

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