Isabel Cumming, Baltimore's Inspector General, has been approved for a second term, marking a continued era of oversight and accountability in the city. Yesterday, the city's Independent Advisory Board, carrying citizens, accounting experts, and law school deans among its members, gave Cumming the green light, as reported by The Brew. The board's action comes on the heels of Cumming's last seven years of service, where she led a small but efficient office that tackled waste and fraud within local government.

Amassing achievements and facing challenges throughout her first term, Cumming and her office proactively responded to a significant volume of complaints — "827 complaints" in 2024 alone, according to the Inspector General. The Brew quotes Cumming as saying, "This office serves as the people’s watchdog," emphasizing her dedication to public service. The office's impact is quantifiable. It has identified millions in waste and savings, a testament to the efficacy of Cumming's leadership and the office's operations.

According to Fox Baltimore, Cumming expressed her gratitude and the foundations of her success: "It’s based on incredible people that work with me and it’s based on the citizens, because without their belief in this office we wouldn’t have succeeded." She further acknowledged the challenges of managing a department meticulously scrutinizing nearly every city department. Cumming is already vying to strengthen the office further, citing a need for two new agents to keep up with an influx of reports from citizens.

Focusing on the broader picture, Cumming has made it clear that her role extends beyond just identifying irregularities in finances. The reach and respect of the Inspector General's Office in Baltimore have significantly grown, offering a hotline and conducting outreach that underscores its commitment to civic duty. "I am grateful and humbled to work for them," Cumming stated, as per The Brew, cementing the office's role as a pillar of governance by and for Baltimore's citizens.