THE eleven new super councils spent £11 million more on staff in their first year than in the final year of the previous 26 combined, with one MLA describing the rising bill as "nonsensical."
Only four of the new councils reduced their staff numbers, with the remaining seven councils all increasing their employee intake.
Almost half of the 11 new councils have each added between 30 to 50 extra staff.
The changeover to the new councils was expected to result in cost savings for ratepayers and streamlined services, with shadow councils set up in advance to prepare for the handover in April 2015.
However, the total staff bill for councils in Northern Ireland has gone from £341m in the twelve months leading up to the change to £352m in the first year of the new super councils.
Communities Minister, Paul Givan said that the latest figures had not yet been audited and was "subject to review."
"They are not due to be finalised by councils until 30th June. Comparisons between the two years are also complicated by various boundary changes and the transfer of central government planners and NIEA Minerals Unit staff to councils," he said.
The figures were released by Mr Givan in response to a question from Ulster Unionist West Tyrone MLA Ross Hussey.
He told The Irish News: "The answer surprised me. Even with the numbers involved there are not that many being transferred from the planning service.
"The reason given (regarding extra staff for planning) is probably true and there will be a difference. However, £11m to have one extra member of staff at each council for planning is ridiculous."
Mr Hussey added: "Ratepayers will be paying for all this and it would appear that the cost saving is non-existent."
Almost all councils have also kept open separate buildings belonging to the previous councils, but the West Tyrone MLA said offices should not close as part of an attempt to make savings.
"There are large towns involved here. Obviously I am biased but I would like to see Omagh and Enniskillen retain their council buildings," he said.
Mr Hussey said he is also awaiting answers to a number of other questions relating to the changeover, including how many council staff earn more than £100,000.
TUV leader and North Antrim MLA Jim Allister also hit out at the increase in costs.
"RPA (reform of local government) was sold to the public as a great money saving exercise yet these figures show that both costs and staff numbers have increased since the new councils came in.
"Additionally, many families have seen a hike in their rates bill which has left people questioning the value of the changes."
In October 2015 figures revealed that the former 26 councils spent more than £300,000 on farewell parties and events.
It included a bill for £2,642 for all staff in Ballymena to receive a mug adorned with the 'Ballymena Borough Council' logo.
The former Department of the Environment estimated last year that the reform is "estimated to deliver projected savings at £20million per year over 25 years."
A spokesman for the department said at the time: "The actual savings achieved will depend on key decisions that each of the new councils will make relating to future costs."
