STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — Following the stunning firing of Stuart City Manager Michael Giardino, the city is opting to bring in a familiar face to fill the position.

Giardino was fired last week after Stuart City Commissioners voted to remove him only 4 months into his tenure at the position. In an ironic twist, the city is now looking to bring back former City Manager Michael Mortell to take his place.

Mortell served as the City Manager from March 2023 until his firing in October 2025 following a 3-2 vote by city commissioners. Less than a year after his firing, the city commission voted to offer Mortell his job back, and they’ll meet on September 9th to approve of his new contract.

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In his new deal, he would begin as Stuart City Manager on September 14th with a salary of $225,000 a year, a noticeable decrease from his previous salary of $265,000 before his firing last year.