Councillors in Argyll and Bute are expected to clash next week when they meet to decide where to wield the axe to slash more than £10million from spending on vital services.
A final decision on a raft of controversial savings measures is expected to be taken at two crunch meetings on Thursday.
The local authority carried out a survey of more than 2,000 residents to gauge their views on 140 savings proposals – with many attracting objections.
The most unpopular schemes included shutting 43 public toilets – opposed by 76% of respondents – as well as cutting road works, removing school crossing patrollers and axing classroom assistants.
Ideas which received a more positive response included reducing spending on lighting, print and postage costs and water, as well as applying new penalties on landlords.
The council’s ruling administration is expected to unveil its budget at Thursday’s meeting.
Last night, its leaders issued a statement on its priorities.
Councillor Dick Walsh, the leader of the authority, said: “We are totally committed to listening to our communities and we will be taking their views into account as we finalise our budget proposals.
“However, there are no easy choices when you consider that we have £10.2million less to spend on essential services due to funding cuts.
“As an administration we are focused on prioritising our young people, protecting as many core services as we can, particularly in early years where early intervention can provide long term benefit to individuals and to our communities as a whole.
“Economic growth is a key priority across our area and we want to promote Argyll and Bute and all it has to offer, encouraging private investment and making the best of the benefits brought by our town centre regeneration works.
“Our most visible services are among the most important to local people and that is why we want to continue to invest in our roads network, continue to keep our towns, villages and countryside clean and attractive, and provide public toilets for visitors and residents.”
Sandy Taylor, leader of the SNP opposition group, will produce an alternative budget next week, but criticised the lack of time to prepare.
He said: “This is a process that normally takes place over a longer period of time. We used to get advanced notice up to a fortnight before the budget, but this time for some people it will be four or five days.”