The 57-year-old Earnscleugh resident was warming up to take part in an invitational rugby game at Cromwell on Saturday when he got the election results from Central Otago District Council chief executive Phil Melhopt, telling him he had beaten challenger, Lynley Claridge, of Alexandra, by 1895 votes.
His team later won the match, although the mayor said he had probably only got his hands on the ball a few times during the game.
His rugby days are long over - he retired as a member of the Clyde-Earnscleugh premier side 17 years ago - but he made sure he was wearing his Clyde socks for the match on Saturday.
''My main contribution to the game, I think, was collapsing a maul ... my ribs are a bit sore now, though.''
Like his side in the invitational match, his new team around the council table was a good mix of personalities ''and with six new councillors, my first job will be getting the team working together.''
Several of the ''new faces'' had previous community board experience ''so they know how the system works, and that's really good''.
One of the issues raised during the election campaign was a suggestion the council could be more business-friendly.
''I think we are already, but we'll be investigating that further and holding workshops to consult with business people and explore that further, to get the message across better.''
Neil Gillespie, of Cromwell, would be his deputy again and the first council meeting would be on October 30. Mr Lepper said he would meet council management on Tuesday.
Mrs Claridge (58) was ''naturally disappointed'' by the election result and also concerned about the voter turnout.
Online voting might address the issue of voter apathy, she said. She ruled out standing again for the mayoralty at the next election.
''The timing was perfect for me this time, but I've lost, so I'll move on now. I have no regrets, none at all. I think it was a really interesting experience and good for me. I put up a good fight and during the campaign, we brought out a lot of issues on all kinds of things that needed to be raised.''
While disappointed there was no alteration at the helm, it was good to see changes on the council and community boards, she said.
''I think Central Otago really needs a change.''
Mrs Claridge remained the co-owner of a funeral business and said she was working on ''other opportunities'' but declined to reveal what those were.
