Howard County has a new watchdog on the block, with Kelly Madigan stepping in as the county's first inspector general after a notably rocky tenure in Baltimore County. According to a report by WYPR, Madigan navigated a complex landscape of opposition from county executives and council members during her six-year term in her previous post. Her move to Howard County presents her with a fresh start and the opportunity to craft an inspector general's office from the ground up once again.
Madigan shared with WYPR her vision for her new role, likening it to reimagining a kitchen – keeping what works and changing what doesn’t. She hopes to replicate her work in Baltimore County by establishing a respected and trusted IG office in Howard County. Her tenure in Baltimore was marked by friction, including a confrontational budget hearing in 2021 and criticism from council members who labeled her methods as bullish and questioned her spending on resources such as two-sided business cards.
Despite the disputes, Madigan's work left an indelible mark. In a meeting last month, Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka commended her for establishing the IG office, acknowledging the "overwhelming" resistance she faced, as reported by WYPR. However, the departure was not seamless – the Baltimore Banner highlighted disagreements over her successor's role, with her deputy, Steven Quisenberry, leading the office, but without the official title of acting inspector general. This decision was in alignment with the county executive's stance that the county charter does not authorize an interim IG appointment.
In her new assignment, Madigan is ready to delve into investigations intended to streamline Howard County's government processes. Speaking to CBS News Baltimore, Madigan expressed her eagerness to start hiring immediately, a privilege that, in Baltimore County, took years to attain. She described her affinity for the investigative work, which aligns with her drive for accountability and integrity within local governance.
Her final act as Baltimore County's IG involved exposing wasteful spending to the tune of over $737,000 on unused software. Madigan leaves behind a legacy of probing for efficiency in government dealings and has set her sights on similar goals for Howard County.
