Toronto's budget committee was back at work on Monday, deciding whether to move ahead with a proposed plan highlighted by deep cuts in nearly every corner of the city.
Library funding and pool closures were among a series of cuts outlined in a proposed 2012 operating budget being discussed at City Hall on Monday that features about $250 million in savings.
City manager Joe Pennachetti says the 2012 budget contains major advancements that will help move the city toward fiscal responsibility.
The cut-heavy budget has drawn the ire of several groups, including healthcare professionals and parents.
Coun. Gord Perks called the budget a "radical agenda," while others questioned the need for such deep cuts with the city on target for a $15 million surplus.
Budget Chief Mike Del Grande's proposal of a 10 per cent cut on libraries was passed, despite the chief librarian maintaining that reaching the budget would mean cutting library hours.
Monday's budget meeting also drew the attention of a group of mothers and their children, who travelled to city hall in swimwear and goggles to protest a plan to pull funding from seven city pools.
Jennifer Latella, one pool user, told CTV Toronto that it makes sense to have pools in schools.
"It's a community hub; it's a place where kids and families are. Keep it," she said.
Parents complained that swimming lessons would be more difficult to find after the cuts, creating a possible hazard for more children.
"All of these pools are actually sources of exercise for the children, fun places for families to congregate, and to be surprised and told our pools would be closed without any opportunity for the community to build it up is offensive," Julie Dabrusin told CTV Toronto.
On Monday night, the city decided to take the Bedford Park Community Centre's pool off the chopping block and is also considering maintaining funding for the program at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute.
Coun. Paula Fletcher said the decision to cut swimming programs and funding for pools was frustrating considering the city is about to host a swim-heavy Pan Am Games.
"We are going into the Pan Am Games, swimming is a big component of that and many people feel that it's an important recreation and health opportunity for kids," she said.
The budget will move to Mayor Rob Ford's executive committee on Thursday and on to a full council vote next week.
With files from CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson. Follow her at @NatalieCTV.
