The leader of Moray Council has warned that without drastic changes the authority is on course to go bust in about 18 months.
Stewart Cree said financial experts had said the council’s coffers could be cleaned out by September 2018 unless the Scottish Government gives it more cash.
Councillor Cree issued the grim forecast after the local authority’s SNP opposition group criticised the ruling administration’s budget proposals for “not showing a strategic approach”.
He said: “The SNP has spoken in broad terms about a strategic approach, which sounds like a phrase a management consultant would dream up.
“We have a 10-year plan in place, but we are facing these same old criticisms, which don’t hold weight.”
Mr Cree added: “There is not a councillor in Moray who wants to reduce services, but that’s the situation we are in.
“I would like us to grit every road, pavement and set of steps in the area but we have to focus on the roads that have an economic or social purpose.
“I think we are no longer in a position where the public needs to be persuaded into understanding how severe the situation is, the figures are there in black and white.
“The message is clear, and if things don’t change then at some time around next September we will not have any money.”
Mr Cree met Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, in Edinburgh to demand a new approach to funding councils.
Mr Mackay announced an extra £160million for Scottish local authorities in his Budget last week, which will bring Moray an added £2million.
Mr Cree, however, accused the minister of giving local authorities more money “to save his own neck” as the move was an 11th-hour addition to his own Budget, demanded by the Scottish Greens to ensure the backing of their members.