A proposed tax increase plan in Hoover was discussed during a city council meeting Monday night. Plans to increase the lodging tax were shelved, after hotels objected. Mayor Frank Brocato and the council agreed to drop the tax hike in favor of a "room fee" of $2.50 per night. The council's plan still raises sales and rental taxes. Brocato, who has offered a different tax increase proposal, says the money is needed to balance the budget. But Councilman Mike Shaw is not convinced. "When you're talking about the people' s money, the leaning should always be 'no' ... and I still haven't heard why we need (the tax increase)."