City Council brought a surprise end to the city manager search on Wednesday with a unanimous vote to offer the job to Patrick Roberts, who has served in the position on an interim basis since May.

“We would miss an opportunity had we not put this man in this job,” said Councilman Roger Fawcett, who brought up the topic under the new business portion of the agenda.

Fawcett said he had reviewed all of the applications for the position, which numbered 25, according to Human Resources Director Nancy Olivo. Fawcett said the council “would have been lucky” to come up with one or two other viable candidates to interview.

Fawcett effusively praised Roberts’ work.

“He’s done a great job at the helm,” Fawcett said. “I’m impressed with the way he handles himself on a day-to-day basis. I put my full, 100-percent-plus backing behind this man. I can’t find in my conscience a better individual I would want to lead this city.”

The council has been on the hunt for a new city manager since mid-May, when Selena Cuffee-Glenn left for the same job in Richmond. Roberts, who was deputy city manager since June 2008, was named interim city manager at that time.

Some members of City Council said they were caught off guard by Fawcett’s motion. Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett said he had “flipped through” the resumes but “did not really take time to read them,” thinking he could do so at a later date.

Mayor Linda T. Johnson, the second member with Bennett of the two-person committee charged with reviewing the applications, said she had been through the applications in detail.

“I do have some fairly strong feelings as to how the applicants look,” she said.

Councilman Mike Duman said he was “caught a little off guard” by the motion and wanted time to do research on compensation before a salary was negotiated. He nevertheless supported offering the job to Roberts as long as compensation was negotiated at a later date.

Duman said only three or four of the applicants had led cities with populations of 60,000 or more. Suffolk’s population is approaching 90,000.

“In my opinion, there was no one that clearly surpassed our interim city manager in qualifications or experience,” Duman said. He added that the vote would express confidence in Roberts and eliminate apprehension in the ranks of city employees.

“To put that behind us and continue on with business is a huge plus,” he said.

Despite Bennett’s concern about the process, he too praised Roberts.

“I don’t have a problem at all with moving forward with it,” he said. “I will give my wholehearted support.”

With Councilmen Don Goldberg, Tim Johnson, Curtis Milteer and Lue Ward also praising Roberts, the issue was decided.

Some members also praised what they called the transparency of the decision. Tim Johnson said after the meeting there had been no discussion whatsoever behind closed doors.

“That’s transparency at its best,” Fawcett said.

Police Chief Thomas Bennett said the council had made a good choice.

“I think he’s going to serve our citizens very well,” Bennett said after the meeting.

The City Council plans to meet in closed session at its Oct. 7 meeting to discuss compensation.