Local measure · Baltimore County
Baltimore County Question CCharter Amendment – Inspector General Appointment Board
What your vote means
YES
A YES vote has a new seven-member board, not the County Executive and Council, appoint and remove the county Inspector General.
NO
A NO vote keeps the current process: the County Executive appoints the Inspector General and the County Council confirms.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- The Inspector General investigates fraud, waste and abuse in county government. source: elections.maryland.gov
- The board would have 7 members: one picked by the County Executive, one by the County Council, and five picked by the Ethics Commission director (a retired judge, a certified fraud examiner, a CPA, and faculty members). source: mgaleg.maryland.gov
- The Inspector General would have to live in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson area and serve four-year terms (two-term limit). Removal would be only for cause. source: mgaleg.maryland.gov
- The County Council voted 7-0 for the bill in September 2025. source: baltimorebrew.com
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- Councilman Izzy Patoka introduced the bill after Interim County Executive Kathy Klausmeier required Inspector General Kelly Madigan to reapply instead of reappointing her. Madigan resigned Dec. 1, 2025. source: baltimorebrew.com
- Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming warned in May 2025 that the county IG's independence could be at risk without formal safeguards. source: cbsnews.com
Why supporters want it
- Councilman Izzy Patoka (D) said the bill will 'remove the political influence in the appointment and reappointment process.' source: baltimorebrew.com
- Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming said she strongly supports the bill: 'I have complete confidence Baltimore County voters will stand with their Inspector General as ours did.' source: cbsnews.com
Why opponents object
No public statement found.
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
Word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Baltimore ballot: elections.maryland.gov .
Charter Amendment Inspector General Appointment Board
(Bill 50-25) The Inspector General provides oversight of County government by investigating fraud, waste, and abuse. This Charter Amendment establishes an Inspector General Appointment Board; provides for the appointment of members to the Appointment Board; provides authority for the Inspector General Appointment Board to appoint or reappoint the Inspector General and, if necessary, remove the Inspector General for cause. It replaces the current process under which the County Executive appoints or reappoints the Inspector General, and the County Council confirms the appointment. It provides for a residency requirement for the Inspector General. The Inspector General Appointment Board will consist of seven (7) members, with the County Council and County Executive each selecting one member, and the Chair of the Ethics Commission electing the other five (5) members, each of whom must be from specific judicial, accounting, fraud examination or academic professions. There are also several requirements for members relating to potential ethical conflicts between their service on the Inspector General Appointment Board and their employment or business involvement with the County; candidacy for elected office or involvement in campaign finances; registration as a lobbyist; or criminal convictions. This would amend Section 1014 of the Baltimore County Charter and add Section 1014.1 to the Baltimore County Charter. A vote FOR the amendment transfers the authority to appoint or reappoint and remove the Inspector General from the County Executive to an Inspector General Appointment Board to be established. A vote AGAINST the amendment keeps the current process, in which the County Executive appoints or reappoints, the Inspector General and the County Council confirms the appointment.
- For the Charter Amendment
- Against the Charter Amendment
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.