FAIRBURY, NE — A Kearney native with experience in law enforcement is taking over as city administrator in Fairbury.

The city attorney swore in Robert Messbarger for the position at Tuesday’s city council meeting. Messbarger is from Kearney and graduated from UNK. Most recently, he was a Lancaster County Sheriff’s Deputy based in Firth. He says he was looking to work in a town Fairbury’s size.

“Fairbury is small enough that you’re able to work with community members one on one and still be involved in pretty much everything that goes on in the town," Messbarger said. "That was really appealing to me, is being involved, being active, getting to know the community.”

Messbarger is moving to Fairbury with his wife and one-year-old son. He says he sees great potential in the town.

“People are really dedicated and invested in the community and that’s a huge thing you need in order for a community to be successful,” Messbarger said.

He doesn’t have any specific new projects on his radar but says he expects lots of action.

“The mayor is very proactive," Messbarger said. "That is really exciting to come in here - he has a lot of goals and ambitions and I’m really excited to work along side him and really try to improve the community as much as we can.”

Messbarger was appointed to replace Mary Renn, who stepped down after almost two years on the job. She will continue to work on special projects with the city as an independent contractor.