Steamboat Pilot & Today

Oak Creek — The changing face of Oak Creek's Main Street is a topic some Oak Creek Town Board members are eager to address.

The board is scheduled to begin discussing how Oak Creek's downtown commercial district should change, if at all, at its meeting tonight.

Town Clerk Karen Halterman said board member Steve "Spike" Beven asked that the issue be put on tonight's meeting agenda to raise concerns that there are not enough sales tax-paying businesses along Main Street.

"I think there are some concerns about Main Street losing its commercial properties," she said. "The board may choose to look at what Oak Creek can do to ensure that we maintain our commercial integrity."

Halterman said the town is struggling to collect sales taxes, which, along with property taxes, is the main source of income to its general fund.

Tonight's discussion is part of ongoing conversations the town is conducting in preparation of updating its comprehensive plan, which outlines how the town will grow.

"I think Spike wanted this on the agenda to get some dialogue going because we're seriously looking at updating our comprehensive plan, and this goes right along with that," she said. "What would Oak Creek like to see for its miniscule commercial district?"

In other business, the Town Board is scheduled to:

Grant a special event permit for the Oak Creek Labor Day Committee to have a beer garden at its annual Labor Day event.

Hear an update on Labor Day matters from chairwoman Becky Wisecup.

Discuss public works salaries.