Municipal council is moving ahead with plans that could see several service buildings in Chatham-Kent close in the future.
On Monday, councillors discussed the customer service review report which recommended reducing the number of smaller, under-utilized service centres and information desks in six rural communities.
Despite the review moving forward, the municipality will be retaining the in-person services for the foreseeable future.
Although council supported moving a handful of municipal services online, many also agreed that face-to-face services are a vital part of communities, especially rural ones.
"People still want in-person services," said Councillor Melissa Harrigan. "Digitizing service and giving people digital options is really important but we still have a few more decades before everybody is fully comfortable with doing things online. As we transition and expand our digital service delivery, it is really important to continue to have some form of face-to-face contact."
Councillor Brock McGregor said he felt the issue should be directed to the provincial government.
"We in rural Ontario know that often we are ignored by the province," said McGregor. "I would say those deputations landed at the wrong table. I think those deputations should be directed to mister McNaughton and mister Jones. I think through this process we should make sure we are engaging with our local representatives. The province needs to step in and make this right."
While the decision to move forward will change how some services are delivered, Mayor Darrin Canniff made a point to reassure there will be face-to-face services in each community.
"Council talked about how important that was and everyone agreed," said Canniff. "That is extremely important to maintain that presence in each and every community in Chatham-Kent."
The initial customer service review report was presented to council on June 20 and resulted in an overwhelming response from the community.
A total of 105 deputations were submitted in opposition to closing the municipal centres.
Municipal staff will return to council with a report detailing the plans for digital and other alternative services, the costs, and a timeline for when changes would start to be made.
