BALLARAT mayor Craig Fletcher admitted to some nerves before he was voted in last night, but his election flowed according to the script.Cr Fletcher was elected mayor in a unanimous decision at a statutory meeting at Ballarat's Town Hall.However, the election was a formality with the council announcing in September it would implement a "seamless succession plan" for Cr Fletcher to take over from Cr Judy Verlin as mayor.In his acceptance speech, Cr Fletcher reflected on his childhood and growing up in Sebastopol before later moving to Melbourne."But when it came time to start a family I knew there was only one place to be, right here in Ballarat," he said.He told the packed gallery not to expect radical changes in how the municipality is governed."There's no doubt in my mind the council is on the right track."He promised to work with governments of "all political persuasions" to lobby for Ballarat's interests.Central ward Cr Mark Harris was elected deputy mayor.The decision to announce the mayoral handover in September drew some criticism, but Ballarat's councillors insisted publicly they had unanimously agreed Cr Fletcher was the best candidate for the job.By law the mayor must be elected at an open meeting. In her departing speech Cr Verlin said the pace of the job during her two terms as mayor had been "exceptional".She said community pride was low when the current council took over but expectations remained high."It was a challenge and we had to over deliver in many instances," she said.Cr Verlin said the council had led a "resurgence" of Ballarat and left the city in a sound financial position. "As a council we have led Ballarat through a significant period of rebuilding and change," she said."There's no doubt this city has grown in stature, in confidence ... and we have certainly put Ballarat back on the map."