Western Isles Council faces redundancies and job cuts amid a desperate search to make £14.3 million of savings.
Councillors are mulling over where to slash spending on the run-up to making a final vote in February.
Last night, the council agreed to consult with the community over a range of cuts.
Controversial proposals to abolish the inter-island air service for Benbecula as well as close schools in Uist and Barra were withdrawn following a councillors’ seminar yesterday morning.
Sports activities may be affected by longer grass length on sports pitches and amenity areas under a reduced maintenance service, warns a budget report.
Island roads would fall into a worse state under a council proposal to slash their repair and maintenance.
A near 30% cut is suggested for emergency and planned patching and drainage programmes on the roads network.
Reducing road tarring and surface dressing work is also being considered.
This will result in more potholes across the islands but save £231,000, councillors were told.
Also in the firing line is the use of all itinerant teachers in island primary schools.
This proposal may necessitate compulsory redundancy, though some £465,000 could be saved over the next two years by removing the specialist teachers who take gym, music and art classes in primary schools.
Next year, all council-operated public conveniences could close completely. Funding to community facilities may stop.
Hiking car parking charges in Stornoway town centre is being considered.
Halving the £80,000 funding to The Energy Advisory service risks increasing fuel poverty across the Western Isles with vulnerable households not getting on advice on energy efficiency and missing out on funding opportunities, indicated the report.
Council leader Angus Campbell said: “Councillors will be indicating this week what their preferences for budget choices are and the results of that will be available at the (consultation) meetings.
“However, we are happy to discuss any areas of the council’s work in relation to budgets.”
He added: “We face difficult choices. We want our communities to be informed and involved.”