LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Controversy is beginning over possible changes to the make-up of the Lee County. Tourist Development Council. Some people from the beach communities want more of a say and more power in the group.

"It is true, we are challenging the composition, the make-up of the council," said Mayor Larry Kiker of Fort Myers Beach. 

He and others are upset because the council has a permanent seat for Cape Coral, which has a relatively minor role in tourism. The beach communities must rotate their seats on the council, and they believe that reduces their effectiveness.

"We have asked Sen. Garrett Richter of Collier to sponsor a bill in the legislature that expands the council to 11 members, and guarantees a permanent seat to the city with the most 'bed tax' revenue," said Kiker.

Bed taxes are five percent in Lee, and every person staying in a hotel or for a short time in a condo, pays the bed tax.   The monies are used for everything from beach renourishment to the new Red Sox stadium.

One Hotel manager, Jack Copeland, says the move to change the council could be a disaster.

"It will be that if it divides the county and its tourism efforts. We need to market Lee as a whole, and not have individual parts breaking off and demanding their share of the bed tax," said Copeland.