PERRYSBURG – Bowling Green’s assistant municipal administrator is taking a promotion – to city administrator for Perrysburg.

At a special meeting Tuesday, Perrysburg Council unanimously approved Joe Fawcett as city administrator.

He replaces Bridgette Kabat, who resigned in January.

Fawcett currently serves as the director of public services and assistant municipal administrator for the City of Bowling Green, where he has been for the past eight years.

“Perrysburg’s a wonderful community,” Fawcett said.

He said he grew up in Perrysburg, spending half the week here and half the week in Bowling Green.

“So when the opportunity came up, it certainly got my attention. City and municipal administrator positions don’t come open very often, so when they do, you take a look at it,” Fawcett said.

“When I saw it, I did a little reflection and talked with the family. … It was a good decision to throw my hat in the ring.”

Fawcett and his wife, Jane, have three children who will enter seventh, fifth and third grades this year.

The 1999 Bowling Green High School graduate didn’t take credit for any of the recent accomplishments in Bowling Green.

“I think collectively we’ve done a lot of good things,” Fawcett said, most recently the amount of infrastructure put in, city roads that have been paved and the new administration building.

“I’m a team-oriented person, so it’s not about me,” he said.

Fawcett said he is going to spend this month tying up a lot of loose ends, so they are in a reasonable state to be handed off.

Fawcett’s start date has yet to be worked out, said Perrysburg Mayor Tom Mackin.

His pay will be $150,000 annually, Mackin said.

Fawcett has been Wood County assistant administrator and also previously worked in Bowling Green Municipal Court.

He is a veteran who served for several years in the U.S. Army and Ohio National Guard.

“I’m very pleased to confirm you as our next city administrator,” said Councilman Mark Weber. “I’ve heard great things about you from several people and you were very impressive in your interview with city council last week.”

Weber added employees are loyal and dedicated and genuinely care about the city.

“I have high hopes you will implement and follow through with a credible succession plan for all the departments,” he said. “You have my full support.”

Fawcett “is a great candidate. We’re lucky to have him,” said Councilman Cory Kuhlman.

Kuhlman, who is chairman of council’s personnel committee, expressed concern at last month’s meeting about the process that was used to find an administrator.

“There’s certainly things we can work on and improve,” he said.

Kuhlman said that Fawcett was a “quality candidate.”

Councilman Kevin Fuller said he also had concerns about the selection process.

He said he checked references and resumes and talked with Fawcett.

“He will be very well suited for the position of city administrator,” Fuller said.

The search committee also interviewed Joshua Clark, who is safety service director for Fostoria.

Mackin said both Fawcett and Clark were excellent candidates.

“Joe just stood out to me how he would fit with the team,” Mackin said. “His experience is what we need going forward as a community. He was better qualified.”

Jane Fawcett said she was excited about moving to Perrysburg and was hopeful for the opportunities offered in the city.

“I’m just really looking forward to the adventure and meeting new people,” she said.