Baltimore County Proposes Independent Board for Inspector General Appointments

Baltimore County is facing controversy over the appointment and independence of its Inspector General, Kelly Madigan, who was required to reapply for her position by Interim County Executive Kathy Klausmeier despite strong council support and her recognized record. In response, Councilman Izzy Patoka has introduced legislation to create a seven-member independent Inspector General Appointment Board designed to remove political influence from the appointment process. This board would include appointees from the County Executive, County Council, ethics commission, legal, accounting, and academic sectors, including representation from a Historically Black College or University, and aims to ensure merit-based appointments. Experts and officials, including Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming, have expressed support for this reform, stressing that true independence is essential for the role, which is charged with eliminating government waste, fraud, and abuse. The bill must secure council support before being placed on the 2026 ballot for voter approval. The proposed board is explicitly an appointment body, not an advisory or oversight panel, intended to strengthen public trust and eliminate perceived bias in Baltimore County governance.