Secret papers have revealed plans to axe another £26million and 126 jobs from council services in the Highlands.
A leaked budget document showed that the local authority is considering slashing street cleaning and grass-cutting by about a third, and scrapping its Ranger service completely.
Music tuition, youth groups, breakfast clubs, family nurses, adult services and employment staff are all in the firing line as well.
Car park charges could also rise by 10%, while fares on the Corran Ferry could be hiked, and a £25 fee could be introduced for green waste collections.
Trade unions warned last night that the proposals would have “disastrous” consequences, with the region at risk of becoming “litter strewn and overgrown”.
But local authority finance chiefs insisted they had little choice as they tackle “the most severe financial situation the council has ever faced”.
Highland Council has already made £135million of savings since 2011, including £39million this year.
It now faces plugging another budget gap of £26million next year.
The current Independent-led minority administration has produced a plan detailing £16.57million of potential savings measures – including a 3% rise in all council tax bands.
A further £10million of additional cuts may also be required, however, depending on its Scottish Government funding settlement.
The ruling administration was forced to go public with the plans yesterday after the draft budget document was leaked to the media.
Major savings measures being considered include cutting £4million from adult services, closing some childcare centres, as well as axing 24 street cleaning jobs and 28 ground maintenance posts.
Charges at Highland car parks could rise by 10%, a £25 to £35 fee could be introduced for green waste collections, 18.5 jobs could be lost by ending the Ranger service, while more than £1million and eight jobs could be cut from the employability team, and the deprived area fund could be slashed by 75%.
Liz Gordon, regional officer for the GMB union, said: “The GMB are disappointed at the level of cuts proposed, this will have a disastrous impact on both the staff and the level of service provided to the public.
“Staff are already trying to cope with the staffing reductions of last year.
“Highland income is highly dependent on tourism. Are tourists going to want to come to an litter strewn and overgrown capital and surrounds?
“Do the public want to pay an extra 3% council tax to have less educational provision for their children, more rubbish on the streets, unkempt parks and less winter provision?”
Highland Council budget leader Bill Fernie outlined the “dire” financial position face the authority last night as he defended the plans.
“The Highland Council is facing the one of the most difficult financial situations it has ever faced with an anticipated budget gap of potentially around £26million next year,” he said.
“This follows years of real terms reduction in funding from the Scottish Government and the cumulative impact of this is significant.
“Faced with such dire circumstances, it is our duty as elected members to deliver a balanced budget and to make difficult and pragmatic decisions.”
He added: “Although no formal decisions will be taken before February 2017, so far some £16million potential savings have been identified and another £10million require to be found depending on the Scottish Government settlement.
“Cuts on this scale can simply not be made without significant reductions to some services.”
The ruling administration has tabled a motion to the council urging the Scottish Government not to impose the anticipated level of cuts.
