STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — A major reversal in Stuart — the city commission is bringing back the city manager it fired without cause nearly a year ago.

This was a split decision — commissioners voted three-to-two to bring Michael Mortell back. That comes after the commission fired city manager Mike Giardino last month. Mortell was fired in October 2025.

But one of the biggest points of pushback — Mortell wasn’t even at the meeting as commissioners debated the terms of his return.

Under the agreement approved by commissioners, Mortell will start at $225,000 a year. That’s down from the more than $265,000 he was making under his previous contract. He also agreed to forgo the city’s 3% cost-of-living raise for the next year.

Commissioner Sean Reed voted against bringing Mortell back. Afterward, he proposed commissioners give up their own salaries for two years.

He says that money should help repay taxpayers for costs connected to firing two city managers.

“My position is truly public service. I don’t need a paycheck to continue to do what I do for my constituents that support me,” said Reed.

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Commissioner Laura Giobbi seconded the motion. The commission is expected to take it up at a future meeting.

Mortell is set to officially return to the job next Monday.