Baltimore County is currently on the hunt for a new Inspector General, with County Executive Katherine A. Klausmeier affirming the initiation of an "open and thorough process to identify the best candidate." This announcement, as reported by WMAR-2 News, comes even though the current Inspector General, Kelly Madigan, whose term ended in January, has not resigned from her position since its creation in 2020.
Inserted into the County Executive position following Johnny Olszewski's congressional election, Klausmeier has encouraged Madigan to reapply for her role. Klausmeier's statement, revealed by WYPR, indicates that the selection, helmed by a five-member Inspector General Selection Panel, will adhere to state open government rules while respecting applicant privacy. Notably, the panel comprises members with backgrounds in federal, state, and local governance. It includes individuals with previous experience on the Baltimore County Blue Ribbon Commission on Ethics and Accountability, as well as former Inspectors General.
With 23 applications on the table, the decision may not be straightforward. According to a WYPR report, a council majority has stated they will confirm only Madigan for a second term. This coalition includes Republicans Wade Kach, David Marks, Todd Crandell, and Democrat Izzy Patoka. Council Chairman Mike Ertel, also a Democrat, conveyed support for Madigan but affirmed his openness to the selection process, stating, "I want to see the process go through."
