MONROE - The top spot in the city remains with Bill Ross after Tuesday's election.

In his eighth non-consecutive run for the two-year term as mayor, Ross managed nearly a 3-to-2 margin over his challenger, Alderman Michael Boyce. The votes totaled 1207 for Ross and 838 for Boyce. There were 20 write-in votes cast.

"I just want to thank the voters in Monroe for having the confidence to elect me for another two years," Ross said Tuesday night. "I'm thrilled, and I look forward to another two years."

Ross served as mayor for 12 years, before stepping out of city government in 2006. He returned as mayor in 2010, beating out incumbent Ron Marsh.

Ross plans to start an on-going roundtable discussion as soon as the new aldermen get settled, which will focus on getting the aldermen and city employees working together.

Ross said he "ran on getting animosity out of City Hall, and getting aldermen and city employees working together, not jumping over each other and being intimidating."

Being a leader in the city means practicing intervention, Ross added.

"I'm going change my management style," he said, "and be a hands-on facilitator, getting people working together and accomplishing the city's goals."

Boyce garnered almost 41 percent of the total mayoral votes cast in the election Tuesday.

He believes a higher voter turnout could have helped him.

"People who tend to vote most often tend not to vote for change; motivation is difficult," he said.

Boyce said he ran a very hard campaign, knocking on lots of doors and sending out mailings, and is not satisfied with his results for all his campaigning efforts.

"I had hoped for much better," he said. "Bill Ross is a 14-year incumbent, that was difficult; the perception of division on the council, that hurt."

Boyce called the mayor to congratulate him at about 9 p.m.

There were also 20 write-in votes in the race.