Colchester Council is to make cutbacks to meet financially "troubling times".
The only other way to solve its pending cash problems is to force yet another hike on the borough's council tax payers.
But leader of the council John Jowers has pledged to trim services in a bid to avoid raising rates next year.
The council faces a deficit of £3.2 million by 2007 if action is not taken.
Mr Jowers said: "Come hell or high water, I will not raise council tax. We have got hard decisions which have got to be made. The only alternative is a huge council tax rise which I'm not doing."
The council's belt-tightening plans will go before tonight's strategic overview and scrutiny panel at the town hall.
The panel has been asked to consider the budget and medium-term financial forecast.
Published Tuesday July 13, 2004
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