Everyone is feeling the pinch of rising gas prices, food costs and taxes.

But for retired city employees who live on a fixed income, the pinch can feel more like a choke hold.

On Monday night, more than 30 retired city employees attended a Richmond City Council public hearing on the fiscal year 2009 budget to ask members to fund a cost of living increase.

In the past five years, city employees, except for school employees, have received only a 0.79 percent cost of living increase. School employees are part of the state's retirement system and the city must pay the state-mandated cost of living increase every year.

"I know that the mayor's budget, like last year, has no COLA increase. This is indeed a sad and unfair commentary for some 2,700 retirees and some 1,100 police and fire retires," said William H. Hall Jr., a member of the Richmond Association of Retired Employees.

"That's 3,800 total retirees, most of whom have been long term and dedicated employees of city."

During the meeting, many of the retirees held up signs and posters featuring dollars signs on them and statements about the need for a cost of living increase.

"I need not take the time to explain to you the drastic increase in gas, food, medication, taxes and etcetera because I am sure it has affected your pockets as well," said Barbara Starkey Goode. "We the retired employees of Richmond have little to no other option for increase in household revenue. That is why I come to you asking that you please grant us a 3 percent increase or more."

Several of the speakers pointed out that a 2 percent or 3 percent increase, as recommended by the Richmond Retirement Board, could be found by fixing the waste and fraud found by the city auditor or cutting the mayor's services.

"This city wastes so much money I'm ashamed to think about it. We've got a government that just cannot stop spending money. They find stranger and sometimes illegal ways to spend money than anyone can conceive," said Turk Sties.

"There's talk about paying for the necessities before the niceties. Why do we need the niceties? To hear of 25 percent pay raises for people making $150,000 is absurd," Sties said. "The mayor has got a senior adviser, a lawyer, God know show many public relations people, drivers and security. The only thing he doesn't have is chef and a haberdasher. Where does it end?"

Several other speakers asked council to fund other items, from GRTC Transit System to the Richmond Refugee and Immigrations Services, which helps Hispanic immigrants transition and become a part of the community.

Council will adopt its budget at its May 27 meeting.