Joe Guillen

Detroit Free Press

Saying Detroit doesn't need another high-level employee right now, Mayor Mike Duggan announced that he will not replace retiring Deputy Mayor Ike McKinnon, and instead will have Police Chief James Craig act as mayor in Duggan's absence.

Duggan filed paperwork today with the city clerk to document his choice of Craig as mayor when he is absent or temporarily disabled.

"Our current management team is stable and functioning well," Duggan said in a statement. "I don't see a reason to bring in another high-level employee if it isn't necessary."

Duggan said the move is permitted by the city charter, which says the mayor can designate a "director of a department of the executive branch as the deputy mayor."

Craig's salary of $236,268 will not change, nor will his day-to-day duties as police chief, Duggan said.

Contact Joe Guillen: 313-222-6678 or jguillen@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @joeguillen.