STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — In a recent commission meeting for the City of Stuart, the future of City Manager Mike Mortell came into question as Commissioner Sean Reed filed a motion for his resignation.

The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Christopher Collins during the meeting held on Monday night.

Commissioner Reed expressed his respect for Mortell’s contributions to the city but felt it was important for change, stating, “What I’d like to ask for publicly is for your resignation and for us to go look for a new City Manager.”

He emphasized that his motivation was rooted in the fact that he was not on the board when Mortell was appointed to his position.

The meeting was marked by a mix of public opinion regarding Mortell’s tenure. Many residents defended him, arguing it would be challenging to find a replacement with his level of experience.

However, there were also sharp criticisms aimed at Mortell, with some alleging that he misused his power for personal gain and operated outside his authority. The phrase “we have a cancer in the community” was even used to describe the situation.

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While some commissioners supported Reed’s motion, Collins acknowledged Mortell’s achievements and expressed satisfaction with his support for the resignation motion.

Mortell, caught off-guard by the motion, stated he didn’t anticipate such a discussion and requested that the matter be included on the agenda for a future meeting. He expressed a desire to sit down with the commissioners to discuss any concerns they had.

As the meeting progressed, Commissioner Eula Clarke raised concerns about the potential financial implications of terminating Mortell, suggesting that hiring a new manager could cost the city $275,000 or more.

Reed then proposed putting Mortell on leave for two weeks while the commission reviews his performance. However, Mortell expressed his willingness to continue working.

Ultimately, a new motion was put forth to keep Mortell in his position and revisit the matter in two weeks, which passed by a vote of 3-2.

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