Mountain View County has shelved a proposed business licence but will review the decision early in 2012, council's policies and priorities committee recommended at its Aug. 24 meeting.The decision followed a presentation by economic development officer Doug Erdman who said that after a series of business visits and discussions with owners, ìI have to tell you there is no demand for a business licence in the county at this time.îP&P's recommendation for deferral specifies that it be in effect ìuntil a clear signal from the Mountain View County business community is received indicating that a business licence would be of financial benefit.îIn January 2010, the Municipal Area Partnership recommended that an intermunicipal business licence be implemented in the region, but at a meeting in December of that year, ìthe Sundre representative indicated that the town would not be proceedingî with the joint licence, Erdman wrote in his report to council.Although an intermunicipal licence would provide businesses with certain advantages, Erdman wrote, for it to be successful the participation of all MAP members would be necessary.As well, he wrote, at a regional staff meeting in April operational problems were flagged by the municipalities that had introduced a regional version of the business licence this January.The results of a spring online survey were inconclusive, with 22 surveys answered and 12 respondents indicating that a business licence would not benefit a county-based business.ìIn the case of those businesses that were in favour of a business licence system, almost 90 per cent indicated that an intermunicipal option would be desirable,î Erdman wrote.
