Stuart to promote Mike Mortell to city manager after 2½-month trial in interim role

Lina Ruiz, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·1 min read

STUART — Mike Mortell will be the next manager here after serving in the interim position for 2½ months.

What happened: The City Commission Monday unanimously directed Interim City Attorney Paul Nicoletti to negotiate a contract with Mortell. The commission is to consider the contract June 26.

Why it matters: Mortell served as a public official here, including mayor and city commissioner, for a decade before becoming city attorney in 2013. After the commission votes on his promotion, it will determine how it will fill the job city attorney.

Mike Mortell, pictured, has served as Stuart mayor and city attorney. He is slated to become the city's next permanent manager after being appointed to the interim position in March 2023.
Mike Mortell, pictured, has served as Stuart mayor and city attorney. He is slated to become the city's next permanent manager after being appointed to the interim position in March 2023.

The commission appointed Mortell interim city manager on March 9 after David Dyess resigned to become village manager of Juno Beach in Palm Beach County. At the same time, Nicoletti, also a former Stuart city manager, was named interim city attorney.

Notable statements:

  • Commissioner Becky Bruner during Monday’s meeting: “Can we make him our manager today?”

  • Mortell to TCPalm: “I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to taking on the role and hopefully making sure that Stuart stays the place that we all seem to be willing to fight so hard to keep … I’ve spent my entire adult life here, so I want to make sure it remains a quaint place that I want to call home.”

Background:

Lina Ruiz is TCPalm's watchdog reporter for Martin County. You can reach her at lina.ruiz@tcpalm.com, on Twitter @Lina_Ruiz48 or at 321-501-3845.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Stuart city manager decision: Commission selects Mike Mortell for role