HAY RIVER - Hay River Mayor Jean-Marc Miltenberger won't be seeking re-election this fall.

Miltenberger is stepping away from municipal politics to focus his full-time energy on his fuel supply business, Midnight Petroleum.

Mayor Jean-Marc Miltenberger is not planning to run again in the next Hay River municipal election. - NNSL file photo

The business, which he owns with his wife, faces new demands in a changing economy, he said.

"We have a lot of challenges ahead of us."

For example, Miltenberger said a lot of people don't realize that 70 per cent of the firm's business is outside of Hay River.

For his company to remain competitive and at the top of its game, he said it needs his "full and utmost attention."

However, he doesn't believe the business has suffered in the time he has spent as mayor, which is a part-time position in Hay River.

Deputy mayor Mike Maher will not be seeking re-election either, a fact Miltenberger said played a small part in his decision.

Maher is one of the cornerstones of council and adds an element of stability, the mayor said.

Miltenberger became mayor in a by-election in April of last year and he said he has "immensely" enjoyed his time in office.

The soon-to-be ex-mayor would not specifically dismiss the idea of running for the legislative assembly in a couple of years, noting, "I've learned never to burn bridges or close doors."

Miltenberger narrowly lost to Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen in the 2007 territorial election.