Howard County residents demand stronger access for Inspector General to records

Dozens of Howard County residents are calling on county leaders to enhance the Inspector General's ability to access county records, according to FOX45 Baltimore. Kelly Madigan, the county's first Inspector General, testified that her office has faced obstacles obtaining key documents needed for investigations into waste, fraud, and abuse.

During a county council hearing, multiple speakers criticized the ongoing dispute over records access. One speaker expressed frustration, questioning the purpose of the Inspector General's office if it cannot review necessary records. Another voiced distrust in the county's handling of the issue, emphasizing voters' right to know about potential wrongdoing.

Madigan explained that her office has received redacted documents and has been denied access to some records under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA). She supports a pending bill that would designate the Inspector General as the custodian of county records, granting full and unrestricted access to all county files.

The proposed change aims to remove barriers that currently prevent the Inspector General from performing thorough investigations. Madigan noted that making her the custodian of records would eliminate the need to request access to numerous documents currently off-limits.

Residents at the hearing stressed that without full records access, the Inspector General cannot fulfill the role intended by voters, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability in county government.

The county council is considering the bill, which could reshape how the Inspector General's office operates and strengthen oversight of county affairs.