Residents can have their say on Highland Council’s spending priorities for the next four years at a series of events across the region.
The local authority must cut a total of £78.2million from its budget until 2019 and has found nearly £16million of savings so far.
However the remaining gap is £62.7million and a third must be cut from next year’s spending.
The forums will also include the first stage of public consultation on a review of the council’s service points.
The council wanted to close 23 of its 35 public counters to save money but performed a U-turn in March amid fierce public opposition to the plans.
The first meeting will be at Invergordon Social Club tonight from 6.30pm. A further meetings will be held at Golspie Community Centre on Friday at 6.30pm, with others are scheduled throughout the region over the next month.
The feedback from the public and focus groups will help shape the council’s budget priorities.
The events will also consider what services the council should provide, what the council could do to generate more income, and preventing future costs.
There will be a further consultation from mid-September to early November, involving the council’s Citizens’ Panel of 2,700 adults, as well as the creation of a new Communities’ Panel.
The new body will be drawn from groups representing communities across the Highlands, including community councils.
An online survey will also be available.
Council staff are also being consulted to identify savings and further talks will take place with the unions as part of the consideration of detailed proposals.
Councillor Maxine Smith, the council’s budget leader and new chairwoman of the resources committee, said: “The council is keen to raise awareness of the implications of the budget constraints and importantly to engage with our communities to identify the services they want to protect and retain.
“It is vitally important therefore that communities participate in the local consultations to help identify which areas must be protected. I would really encourage people to come along and have their say.”