MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Patricia McManus will be able to serve as Milwaukee’s interim health commissioner.

Mayor Tom Barrett approved the Common Council’s decision but returned the document unsigned.

“At the end of the day, the children and families who need action from their government and health professionals do not deserve an extended controversy over an interim appointment,” Mayor Barrett said Thursday.

The Mayor says he’s unhappy that the Common Council used an emergency appointment authority for McManus. He called the move political and says it was not motivated by public health.

 The city is taking applications for a permanent health commissioner. The permanent commissioner should start this spring.