The following is an opinion piece from Baltimore County Board of Education member Julie Henn.
The Office of the Inspector General was created to provide increased accountability and oversight in the operations of Baltimore County Government by identifying fraud, waste, and abuse. The office also finds opportunities to promote efficiency, accountability, and integrity. And that’s exactly what Inspector Kelly Madigan has accomplished.
To the chagrin of her staunch opponents, Inspector General Madigan shines light on conduct that conflicts with federal, state, and local laws and County policies. And she does so for all within County Government – including elected officials. Under Madigan’s leadership, the rules apply to everyone. Like it or not, holding all accountable to the same standards is a fundamental principle of the office. When potential criminal activity is exposed, cases are referred to the appropriate authority. Inspector General Madigan is not acting as a “prosector” – despite claims by those adamantly pushing for her removal.
By dismissing Baltimore County’s Inspector General Kelly Madigan, and rejecting the work of her office, the County Executive has called for a “reset” to redefine the office and the very standards by which Baltimore County Government will operate. In other words, some rules are unimportant and should not be enforced or should be selectively enforced.
By nominating a replacement IG candidate with no local government experience, no legal credentials, no experience as an inspector general, and no experience investigating elected officials, the County Executive has rewritten the charge of the office. A common theme? The recommended change will exempt the privileged from the watch of a much more benign office with a far more distanced reach.
Rejecting IG Madigan, and her many accomplishments to date, sends a clear message that certain County rules are unimportant and should not be enforced. (Inspector General Madigan has reported on violations of all of these.)
- Employees shall not make false statements or intentionally misrepresent facts.
- Employees shall obey all Federal, State, and County laws and ordinances.
- Employees are required to submit the correspondence and obtain permission prior to beginning secondary employment.
- An officer or employee of the county may not engage in political activity while on the job during working hours.
- A county owned automobile, truck, or piece of equipment of any kind and description shall be used for official purposes only. Employees shall not use the assigned County vehicle to conduct personal business.
- Businesses shall not make false statements or intentionally misrepresent facts to defraud County Government.
- County business rules apply to all.
- Companies doing business with Baltimore County Government must follow procurement laws and policies.
- County Government shall comply with the Maryland Public Information Act.
- County Government shall be fiscally responsible with small department expenditures such as tolls.
- An employee must follow agency procedures in terms of who, how and when to request to be away from work on a scheduled workday for all or part of the shift in order to receive paid leave, if available, for that time away.
- All leave time taken during the normal workday shall be verified by a Leave Authorization slip.
- County employees / elected officials shall not use public funds to provide benefits to certain developers and business owners.
- All work requests for a given individual must match the vehicle tracking information for a given day.
- Employees shall only use the electronic communications systems for County business purposes only.
- All proposed new development projects are subject to the same standards of review for approval.
- No employee of the County is permitted to favor any particular individual or firm with orders or to give those submitting bids/proposals/quotations information which will give anyone an advantage over others seeking County business.
- County employees are prohibited from extending benefits (such as waiving fees) to developers / businesses / etc. for personal gain.
- County Council members are subject to minimum qualifications defined in The Baltimore County Charter, including a residence requirement.
- Procurement Card policies and procedures are reinforced through training and enforced.
- Assets are logged on the County’s Listing of Fixed Assets. Proactive oversight and review of major purchases (pre- and post) prevents waste.
- Vendor contract performance is evaluated and deficiencies addressed with corrective action taken as necessary to prevent waste.
Will Baltimore County Government return to its shadowy past? Or will our courageous County Council insist upon the light – no matter what it may reveal? Baltimore County citizens have spoken. We want a brighter future.
