City Hall was busy until 1 a.m. Wednesday morning as workers scrambled to count all the absentee and affidavit ballots in the 2009 municipal election. The final count was certified by election commissioners Wednesday.

After all polling, absentee, and affidavit ballots were counted, updated results did not change the outcome of the three contested municipal races.

At the final count, Cheri Barry beat opponent Percy Bland in the mayoral race by 293 votes; Bobby Smith narrowly eked his way back into his old Ward 5 council seat, beating John Harris by 46 votes; and Barbara Henson won a sixth term as Ward 3 council member against Randle L. Jennings by 144 votes.

Barry, who will be Meridian’s first female mayor, said Tuesday that she will take a few days off before assembling an advisory team for her July 6 transition into the mayor’s office.

“First and foremost, I plan to restore a sense of pride for our community and better our quality of life for all residents,” she said. “I will continue to improve existing partnerships and grow new relationships throughout this community where none have existed before. 

Barry said she will bring special attention to neighborhood revitalization. She also wants to do away with duplication of service and invite every resident in the City of Meridian to participate in the future of their city.

“I plan to unite all parties and dissolve racial and party lines of division that exist in this community,” Barry said.

“As promised, I want to take this community, including all residents, back to the basic services that they so deserve, taking a close look at Sweet Gum Bottom Road and Eagle Point. I will bring a new level of awareness and positive customer service to the City of Meridian. I will promote and enhance a strong educational system.”

While campaigning, Barry said she plans to surround herself with a diverse group of advisors representing “old, young, and new Meridian.”

Barry has often spoken of her passion for Meridian, saying at one campaign forum, “I have a compassion and a love for this city, and I have walked the streets of Meridian.”

Barry is the former director of the Red Cross Key Chapter in Meridian.

Bland said Tuesday night that he plans to contest the election results, but did not return phone calls for confirmation that those plans remained the same Wednesday afternoon.

In the Ward 5 council race, winner Bobby Smith was confident Tuesday night that John Harris would contest Smith’s narrow lead. But Harris said Wednesday that he would not contest Smith’s win, instead choosing to focus on his campaign for Mississippi House District 82.

The special election for District 82 is set for June 9.

Barry and the winners of the city council races will be sworn in at a ceremony at the Temple Theater July 2 and will take office July 6.