Stuart commission names Michael Gardino city manager finalist; Glenn Adams named alternate

The City Commission of Stuart on Tuesday voted to select Michael Gardino as its city manager finalist and authorized the city attorney to negotiate terms, after a full day of candidate interviews and internal deliberations.

Vice Mayor Reid moved to name Michael Gardino as the commission's first-choice candidate and to designate Glenn Adams as the alternate; the motion carried 3–2. The roll call recorded Commissioner Clark, Vice Mayor Reid and Mayor Christopher Collins voting in favor; Commissioners Gobi and Rich voted against the motion.

Vice Mayor Reid said he believed Gardino's background in airport operations and his recent decision to relocate to the area made him well suited to the job. "My motion is for Michael Gardino to be number one and Glenn Adams to be number two," Reid said when placing the motion on the floor. The commission instructed the city attorney to prepare an employment agreement and return it for consideration.

Commission discussion focused on whether the city should prioritize candidates with local institutional experience or those with leadership experience from outside the area. Several commissioners praised both Gardino and Adams for management and organizational experience; some members expressed concerns about candidates with prior legal or personnel disputes in prior jurisdictions and said those matters were part of their deliberations.

The next step announced by staff is for the city attorney to open contract negotiations with Gardino and prepare terms for a future meeting; the commission will consider any proposed employment agreement before any appointment is final.

No formal vote to appoint the city manager was taken at the meeting; the authorization provided to staff was limited to negotiating an agreement with the finalist.