Tuesday morning, a quorum of the Jacksonville City Council unanimously certified the Aug. 26 election results. All members of the council were present except Charles Notar, who was assisting the Red Cross with Hurricane Gustav evacuees.The election had no provisional ballots, so the tally for each race given the night of the election stood.
Mayor Johnny Smith will retain his position, having bested Pete Brooks by a vote of 1,223 to 615.
George Areno will remain in Council Place 1. Areno beat Guy Bonds 919 to 817.
With 1,085 votes, Truman Norred was elected to Council Place 3, the seat he was appointed to upon the departure of Jeff Shelton. Bill Owens, who ran against Norred, received 672 votes.
Sandra Sudduth retained her seat at Council Place 4 by a large margin, topping Lovelle Buchanon 1,230 to 540.
Derek Raulerson squeaked by incumbent Jerry Parris to take Council Place 5 by a vote of 894 to 887.
In the only Board of Education race, incumbent Sue Jones retained her seat by a vote of 1,110 to 690 over challenger Steve Smith.
The council also confirmed a runoff election for Council Place 2. Three candidates vied for the seat with Mark Jones garnering 872 votes, Bob Baker getting 540 and Bill Sparrowhawk receiving 341. Baker and Jones will face off in the runoff election on October 7.
