Argyll and Bute Council wants Transport Scotland to take on the four lifeline ferry services it is currently subsidising by £1m.
The four services are Easdale to Seil, Lismore to Port Appin, Luing to Seil, and Jura to Islay.
The local authority argues that the provision of lifeline ferry services is the statutory responsibility of Transport Scotland and although it receives some grant funding for the service there is a shortfall of around £1m.
The result is pressure on front line services, the council says, especially in the light of five years of core funding reductions.
In 2018-19, Orkney and Shetland received £10.5 million of support from the Scottish Government for operating island ferry services and a similar amount has been made available for 2019-10.
Argyll and Bute has not received a similar payment to date, despite being home to 23 inhabited islands.
The local authority says it has been in discussion with Transport Scotland over the operation of the ferry services since 2013.
It submitted a six-stage assessment process to meet Transport Scotland requirements for ferry transfer more than two years ago.
Councillor Roddy McCuish, policy lead for Roads and Amenity Services, said: “We are not asking for anything other than fair and equal treatment.
“There is no doubt, our island communities need these lifeline services and we will continue to provide them as we continue to make our case.
“The reality is that Argyll and Bute is one of the three local authorities in Scotland to see the largest reductions in funding allocations since 2013/14.
“Subsiding these lifeline ferries puts increasing pressure on other essential services.
“We therefore look forward to continue what I hope will be productive talks with Transport Scotland to provide the best possible future for our island communities and our economy.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Argyll and Bute Council remains responsible for the delivery of its internal ferry services, but we recognise the challenges the council faces in sustaining ferry operations.
“We are committed to finding a funding solution for Argyll and Bute Council from 2020-21 and onwards, as part of the negotiations of a transfer of responsibility of the council’s ferry services to Transport Scotland, and we continue to have constructive engagement with the Council to that end.”
