Gulf Shores is considering raising the lodging tax, upsetting vacation rental companies

Gulf Shores city officials are expected to vote soon on a 3% increase in the city's lodging tax rate, which is levied on hotel and vacation rental room charges. During a Monday work session, however, city officials heard from some rental companies who fear the city is putting itself at a competitive disadvantage. The 3% hike would lift the city's overall room rate to 16 percent, which would put it ahead of most Gulf Coast cities enjoying a similar surge in tourism over the last decade.