Its 2007-08 annual report shows it reported a $672,000 operating surplus compared to its budgeted $4000 surplus.
But chief executive Steve Parry said it needed to be emphasised funding it received to help buy the former Smiths City building in Gore's heritage precinct boosted its coffers by $492,000.
"The acquisition of this building took place a year earlier than expected and, therefore, for true comparative purposes when measuring the annual report result against the annual plan budget, the operating surplus would be $180,000."
Council staff were also extensively involved in a host of work surrounding TrustPower's application to apply for consent to build a $400 million wind farm at Kaiwera Downs.
The council recovered $258,000 in costs.
In their foreword, Mr Parry and Mayor Tracy Hicks said there were other highlights during the year, including a community satisfaction survey, issues around arts, heritage, waste water, the development of a new Mataura community centre, new toilets in Gore and the massive workload created by the wind farm application.
The survey revealed "a good level of support" for its overall performance.
The results gave the council "a good level of intelligence", confirming it was on the right track with the emphasis it places on the likes of parks and reserves, arts and heritage, aquatic facilities and library services to improve the quality of life for residents.
An upgraded waste-water treatment plant is expected to be commissioned this month, while tenders are being considered for the construction of a wetlands at the Mataura oxidation pond.
Long-running plans to build a Mataura community centre finally took off this year. Mr Parry said the community finally approved the project.
"The approval of the strategy was a watershed event, which it is hoped will prove to be a catalyst for the revitalisation of the Mataura community."
The new facility is expected to be opened next month.
Both men praised the efforts of council staff, especially in the regulatory services department who had to contend with two "particularly resource hungry issues".
The first was the council's bid to become an accredited building consent authority under the new Building Act.
Arriving in the midst of a building boom and staff shortages, it taxed the council's building consent department, but staff numbers have since increased and accreditation staff are due to conduct a final visit to Gore next month.
The other "extraordinary issue" was dealing with the wind farm consent process.
"This was a large consent process that demanded a huge amount of time and energy . . . the large and complex nature of the application provided a stern test of the council's regulatory and governance processes," the report said.
