AUSTIN — The Austin City Council will officially offer Rochester firefighter James McCoy a job as Austin’s next fire chief.

The council voted to accept the Fire Civil Service Commission’s recommendation 5-1, with one abstaining.

McCoy scored higher on exams, but Terry Petersen has 20 years of experience with the Austin Fire Department. His present rank is commander.

Mayor Tom Stiehm said he had hoped the council would have hired from within the department while the process was going on, but after speaking with McCoy the mayor said he has confidence in his ability to lead Austin’s firefighters.

City Administrator Jim Hurm said the city would offer McCoy the job Tuesday and he has no reason to believe McCoy wouldn’t take it.