Work completed by the Otago Regional Council in the past year will create a "better tomorrow" for the region "whether it is one year or 30", chief executive Graeme Martin says in the annual report.
It was the long-term chief executive's last annual report to be presented to council before his retirement later this year.
The July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012 report showed a $3.380 million surplus, $599,000 above budget.
That was due to additional income of $1.954 million from selling a property that was not budgeted for, plus $816,000 in unbudgeted, unrealised gains on financial assets and investment property, combined with spending $1.327 million on unbudgeted expenses.
Chairman Stephen Woodhead said at the council meeting this week it was another good result for council, shown by the unqualified opinion from the auditor.
Highlights for the year included the Clean Heat, Clean Air project which helped insulate or heat 727 homes, a $10 million public transport boost (including 114 new Dunedin bus shelters), upgrades of drainage and pumping infrastructure and ORC land resource group work on water quantity and quality initatives.
"It's been another busy year which has delivered tangible benefits to the community."
The report showed council staff had grown from 123 in June, 2011, to 131.
Of those, four (up one on 2011), were paid more than $150,000 and 15 (two up on last year), were paid more than $100,000.
Mr Martin's salary stayed the same at $233,080, although the annual cost to council of his package had gone up from $304,992 to $316,004.
Mr Woodhead earned $119,850 (up from $96,421 in 2011), while fellow councillors earned from $38,303 to $55,432 depending on their responsibilities.
