The chairman of the Invercargill City Council's finance and policy committee was surprised to learn the council has forked out thousands of dollars for a portrait of Mayor Tim Shadbolt.
The council paid $7,000 for the piece entitled Seriously Tim, by Cromwell-based artist Deidre Copeland.
CEO Richard King says the painting was bought through the furnishings and fittings budget, so it did not need council approval as the money was already allocated.
But finance and policy chairman, Neil Boniface, says the purchase was unnecessary.
"I didn't realise we had actually purchased a painting. We already had one of Mayor Tim, which had been donated.''
