Baltimore County Council to Vote on Inspector General Nomination Amid Controversy

Baltimore County Council to Vote on Confirming New Inspector General on Monday The Baltimore County Council is scheduled to hold a vote at 6 p.m. on Monday to decide whether Khadija Walker will serve as the county's next inspector general. This decision has ignited public discussion and scrutiny. County Executive Kathy Klausmeier has nominated Walker to succeed Kelly Madigan, the current inspector general who established the office five years ago. Should the council decline Walker's appointment, Madigan will continue in her role. Controversy surrounds the nomination process. In May 2025, Klausmeier informed Madigan that the inspector general position would be reopened, inviting her to reapply. While legally permissible, critics argue that this move threatens the independence of the office. Klausmeier defended the process, stating in a recent memo that it adhered to a new, voter-approved amendment to the county charter. She explained that the Inspector General Selection Panel conducted interviews and recommended the most qualified candidates. She emphasized that the process, which designates the county executive as the appointing authority, was passed unanimously by the county ...