NEW YORK - There is a budget fight brewing at City Hall. 

Once again, the council and the de Blasio administration are at odds over funding for the city’s library system —  a network of 214 locations which provide essential services to some of the neediest New Yorkers.

Council Speaker Corey Johnson called on the administration to not just increase funding but rescind a proposed $8 million cut. 

“This budget dance is in many ways offensive. Libraries are one of the most egalitarian things about New York City. Libraries are a laboratory of learning, a place for new citizens, key institutions that serve neighborhoods across New York City in so many ways,” Johnson said.

The Council is asking de Blasio for a funding increase of $27 million, for a total of $35 million in funding for fiscal year 2020 which starts in July. But de Blasio, who for the first time this year required all city agencies to cut back their budgets, has proposed making an $8 million cut to the system which has seen an increase in overall funding under his administration.

The mayor has justified the cut, saying all city agencies were asked to shrink their budgets this year. 

“I’ve made very clear that this year is different than the past years, we’ve had to tighten our belt," de Blasio said during an appearance on Inside City Hall on Monday. "There’s still a process over the coming weeks with the council where we look at their priorities, we care a lot about their priorities on the expense side and the capital side we always find a way to work together, we always have I’m convinced that we will again.”

Administration officials said Tuesday the city’s funding over the past years has helped ensure libraries can provide six-day service in every borough. They also pointed to an investment of more than $1 billion over the next ten years for facility improvements.

But the three system leaders say the funding is barely meeting their needs.

Tony Marx, president and CEO of The New York Public Library said every year the libraries are asked to do more with less funding.

“From the littlest kids to our seniors, we are helping people find jobs, we are doing so much more but we don't have the funding to pay for it. We are now to the point where we can’t do everything that New Yorkers depend on their libraries to do,” Marx said. 

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who heads the Council’s committee on Libraries and Cultural Affairs took a swipe at the mayor and his bid for the White House.

“How in this, one of the richest city in the world are we talking about cutting funding? That is why they are the best and most democratic institution that we have in this city and this country if you’re thinking about running for president of it," Van Bramer said. 

The Council and de Blasio are not just fighting over library funding. The Council also wants more money to increase trash pick up, school funding and pay parity for childcare workers. A final agreement must be reached by both sides before the end of June.