City councillors claimed nearly 40% more in taxpayer-funded expenses last year – taking the total bill including salaries over £1 million.
Elected members approved more than £40million of budget savings in March, raising council tax by 4.5% and increasing parking charges.
But newly-released figures show claims from the 45 councillors topped £60,000 in 2018/19 – an increase of more than £16,500 from £43,360 the year prior.
Combined with the £948,916 bill for their salaries and the £14,874 cost of running civic cars, that took the annual total to £1,023,899, up from £970,905.
The expenses are less than the £71,003 paid out in 2016/17.
Council chiefs have already cut down on foreign travel and hotel stays, as they deal with severely squeezed budgets.
Lord Provost Barney Crockett tops the list of claimants with £26,045, followed by licensing convener John Reynolds with £12,991 and former depute provost Alan Donnelly on £3,372.
However Mr Crockett said his role meant he conducted numerous additional duties including on high-profile energy bodies and honourary postions – and added that his expenses were lower than predecessors.
He said: “It is vital that as a city we continue to go out and promote ourselves abroad.
“I have been fortified by the support of the people since I became Lord Provost and I think they see that I am doing a good job making a name for the city.”
Aberdeen Labour councillor Ross Grant was alone this year in not claiming a single penny in expenses.
The Tillydrone, Seaton and Old Aberdeen representative said he did not use a council mobile phone and communicated with constituents on social media, at surgeries and community meetings.
He said it was “reasonable” to expect councillors to make claims given the nature of the role.
“But I do make sure that, as in years gone by, I keep my expenses to an absolute minimum.”
