Economic development was on the minds of Sechelt councillors at their Sept. 7 council meeting.
On their first night back after the August break, councillors discussed the regional economic development alliance and the development officer issue, carried over from the July meeting.
In addition to the alliance's need for an economic development officer, it had been previously recommended that Sechelt hire an economic developer on a contract basis to work on Sechelt projects. The developer's work would be based on the Warner report, an investment strategy document.
Coun. Fred Taylor expressed his concern over duplication of the position and financial repercussions.
"I can support one or the other but not both," Taylor said. "I think someone needs to step up in favour of the taxpayer."
Coun. Alice Janisch backed Taylor, echoing similar sentiments, while Coun. Ann Kershaw said she strongly supports the regional approach. She also pointed out the developer position would be a contract position.
"You're not going to have two full-time economic development officers," Kershaw said. "When Sechelt looks at our own Warner report and chooses one item, it will contract a person for a specific amount of time. You're not spending a bunch of money, because whatever it costs will come to council for approval."
Coun. Alice Lutes agreed.
"We need to take a regional approach. Our District and the whole regional Sunshine Coast needs to work together to do something economically," Lutes said.
Further discussion was held on the merits of a blended local and regional approach to economic development.
Dialogue then moved on to the matter of the red tape reduction committee, a group assembled by Mayor Darren Inkster to expedite and improve District procedures and processes. Not all of council was convinced of the need for the committee, however.
Council voted in favour of the blended economic approach, but opposed the red tape committee. Further elements of the Coast-wide economic development plan continue to be formulated.
