Baltimore County Council denies executive's nomination for inspector general

The Baltimore County Council on Monday voted against Khadija Walker as the county's next inspector general after her nomination sparked public debate and scrutiny.

County Executive Kathy Klausmeier nominated Walker to replace current Inspector General Kelly Madigan, who founded the office five years ago. 

The council voted 5-2 against Walker, with councilmembers Pat Young and Julian Jones voting in her favor.

Madigan will remain in the role, according to Klausmeier councilmember Izzy Patoka.

Council divided on confirmation process

Most of the council members agree, Walker is highly qualified, but the members disagree on what the council's role is during the appointment and confirmation process. 

Some say it is a decision to find the best candidate, often citing Madigan's success in the role, but others argue the council is supposed to simply decide if the nominee before them is qualified for the job. 

"This will be the first nominee in Baltimore County's history to be voted down by this body," Councilman Julian Jones said.

Some expressed concerns about why Madigan couldn't keep her role. 

"Although Ms. Madigan's term has been completed, she's basically being recommended to be removed, yet this council has never been told why," Councilman David Marks said. 

Others explained the council's job was to solely assess Walker's qualifications for the job, rather than comparing candidates against each other. 

"Not whether we think someone else would be better, but whether they are qualified. Miss Khadija Walker is extremely qualified," Jones explained. "I strongly object to how this process was handled, and I will continue to speak out when fairness and transparency are cast aside for mob rule."

This debate over the core task of the council sparked significant debate in this selection process and even sparked new legislation to be written to assist the governing body if it deals with an appointment in the future. 

"If it's all about qualification, we should not be involved in the confirmation process," Councilman Izzy Patoka said.

Councilman Pat Young sparred with other members, accusing them of making up their minds before the selection process could even begin.

"We've abandoned our obligation to the people we serve, and the purpose for convening it all," Young said. 

County Executive Klausmeier responds

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said she was "disappointed" that Khadija Walker's appointment as the county's inspector general wasn't approved.

In a statement, she praised Walker's qualifications for the position.

"Given her extensive experience and professional qualifications, it is disheartening that her appointment wasn't meaningfully considered on the merits of those professional qualifications and experience," Klausmeier said.

 Klausmeier defended the selection process and the nomination of Walker.

Baltimore County's current charter gives the executive the authority to appoint the inspector general. However, the appointment must be confirmed by the county council.

"Our open and thorough selection process not only followed the County charter, which was amended with unanimous support from the County Council fewer than two years ago, but exceeded legal requirements by including well-respected experts in the field and a Council appointee to the interview panel," Klausmeier said. "This public process led to the selection of Ms. Walker as the most experienced and qualified candidate to elevate Baltimore County's Office of the Inspector General."

In a statement, Klausmeier says she will continue to serve in her position as county executive until her term ends, but she plans to leave future appointments of the inspector general to the next county executive.

"In that spirit, I intend to leave any future appointment—or reappointment—of an inspector general to the next county executive or until an independent appointment board is established by the county council and voters," Klausmeier said.

Madigan will continue to work in the role as a holdover until the next county executive decides who to appoint or reappoint.

Debate surrounding nomination process

In May, Klausmeier notified Madigan that the county would reopen the inspector general position and invited her to reapply.

Though legal, the move drew criticism from Madigan's supporters, who said it threatens the office's independence.

Klausmeier defended the process in a memo last week, saying it followed a new, voter-approved amendment to the county charter. The Inspector General Selection Panel conducted interviews and recommended the most qualified candidates, according to Klausmeier.

"In December 2023, this same County Council passed a charter amendment that put this process in the Baltimore County charter," Klausmeier wrote. "This process — which names the county executive as the appointing authority — was passed unanimously by this council and, subsequently, Baltimore County voters."

Klausmeier said she preferred an open, competitive search over automatic reappointment. Madigan reapplied and participated in the process.

Critics question Walker's qualifications

Some residents argued that Madigan is more qualified, citing her investigative background. They raised concerns that Walker, whose experience is primarily in auditing, lacks sufficient investigative credentials.

Others pointed to Walker's nearly 200-mile commute from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Walker addressed the issue at a recent council meeting, saying, "Residency wasn't a requirement for the job. And I don't think it will interfere with me at all getting to work."

Last week, supporters of Madigan rallied outside the Baltimore County Courthouse, urging the council to retain her. They credited her with increasing transparency and accountability since launching the office.

Amid the controversy, Councilman Izzy Patoka proposed creating an Inspector General Appointment Board. The independent, seven-member body would select future inspector generals without direct influence from county officials.

Patoka said the measure aims to reduce political pressure in the appointment process. If approved by at least five council members, the proposal would appear as a ballot question in the November 2026 election.

Madigan reflects on progress in latest report

In the fiscal year 2025 Inspector General Report issued Monday morning, Madigan reflected on the office's progress.

"Since this may be my last time issuing this report, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on how far the office has come during my first term," she wrote.

Madigan noted her early focus on outreach, establishing infrastructure, and building public trust. She cited achievements including the launch of a complaint line, hiring staff, and releasing the office's first investigative report in August 2020.

Since then, the office has handled more than 1,000 complaints, initiated over 100 investigations, and issued more than 50 public reports, according to Madigan.