Dundee City Council spent £50,000 on new mobile phones for council workers.
The administration splashed out the five-figure sum for “Vodafone migration costs replacement of phones”.
New phones for employees of the council’s corporate services team were responsible for the highest proportion of cash spent, costing the group £15,000.
New mobiles for workers in the administration’s neighbourhood services team cost a total of £13,000.
Devices for the council’s children and families services, health and social care partnership, chief executive team and construction department completed the rest of the £50,000 bill.
The revelations come as the council admits it has overspent on its yearly budget by £1.7 million.
Campaigners and politicians questioned the logic of spending £50,000 on phones at a time when savings are being made.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “When savings need to be found, local residents have every right to ask whether upgrading mobile phones should really be seen as a priority.
“Some might need to be replaced due to wear and tear but these should be done on a case by case basis instead of upgrading across the board.
“Councils must ensure they are getting the best possible so that these bills are kept down and as much of their budget as possible can be spent on supporting frontline services.”
Bill Bowman, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East Region, said: “Given the enormous overspend reported by Dundee City Council, some taxpayers may question the size of this bill.
“I’m not sure that many people would consider upgrading mobile phones to be a priority at a time when the local authority is making cuts to balance the books.
“While the sum involved is relatively small in the context of the overall budget, this just sends out the wrong message at a time of constrained public finances.”
Dundee City Council said £48,780 had been spent on a three-year contract with Vodafone to provide the council’s “mobile, voice and data services”.
The administration claims in selecting Vodafone it is saving £115,000 per year.
The three-year deal with Vodafone began on June 1 2016.
A council spokesman said: “The policy and resources committee awarded the contract for the council’s mobile, voice, and data services to Vodafone following a procurement exercise.
“Upgrading of existing handsets was required and one off payment of approximately £50,000 was made, resulting in a £115,000 saving every year of the three year contract.
“This demonstrates the council’s ongoing commitment to demonstrate value for money.”