HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — A proposal aimed at giving Howard County’s inspector general broader access to government records failed on a tie-breaking vote during the county’s October legislative wrap-up session, despite support from more than two dozen residents who earlier testified in favor of the measure.
The five-member Howard County Council had been considering a bill that would make the inspector general the custodian of county records. The measure would have given the inspector general “full and unrestricted access to all records and files maintained by all officials, agents and employees of the county.”
The inspector general, whose office investigates waste, fraud and abuse in government, said the office has been blocked from getting records needed for investigations.
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“We’ve received redacted records, we’ve been denied access to entire software systems because of the MPIA. The IG has been denied access to records listed on this list,” said Inspector General Kelly Madigan.
Councilwoman Deb Jung, the bill’s sponsor, argued the office cannot do its job without access to records.
“The people of Howard County by 85% majority voted to have an inspector general who can investigate waste fraud and abuse and having a fully staffed office with their hands tied because they can’t get to records doesn’t make any sense,” said Jung.
“Basically, we don’t trust you we need to look at those records and voters need to know what’s going on,” said one supporter of the measure.
“If the inspector general cannot review the records needed to investigate, we must ask ourselves why we created the job in the first place,” another resident said.
During the council’s debate, Council Chair Opel Jones said, “This bill did not receive legal sufficiency.” Jung disputed that characterization, saying, “This bill was not found legally insufficient.”
Jung also said she was assured by the county attorney that the measure was legally sufficient. During the discussion, Jung referenced prior guidance from the county attorney, saying, “Yes Mr. Cook, you said specifically that there is nothing prohibiting us from defining the inspector general as a custodian of records” She continued, “And that was why you recommended to me that we proceed in this manner. Is that correct?”
The county attorney responded, “It’d be better to discuss this further in a closed session.” Jung replied, “I honestly don’t see any reason to discuss this in a closed session.”
Council chairman Opel Jones insisted, “I believe this should be handled at the state level.”
The council defeated the measure by a vote of 3 to 2.
“They don’t want the inspector general to have access to information which could be potentially damning,” said taxpayer advocate David Williams.
This post was originally published on Fox 45 by Sinclair Media Group.
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