Howard County Inspector General Advisory Board Meeting - June 4, 2026

The Howard County Inspector General Advisory Board met on June 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in a hybrid format. The board discussed and reviewed the Inspector General's policies and procedures, debated performance evaluation metrics, elected officers, received an update on the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) access issues, and handled other business including the appointment of a deputy inspector general and the resignation of a board member.

Discussion Items

• Review and Discussion of Inspector General Policies and Procedures: Board member Dennis Raschka had significant questions. Chair David Salem requested any edits be submitted by June 19, 2026, and a potential meeting in July or August to discuss. No final action was taken.

• Discussion of Inspector General Performance Evaluation: The board reviewed a draft evaluation. Inspector General Kelly Madigan's concerns were noted, including metric 3C (24 presentations annually) and the requirement to initiate investigations within five days, which board member Steven Quisenberry called unreasonable for a new, one-person office. Quisenberry also questioned metric 6B (percentage of recommendations agreed to), arguing the IG cannot force administration acceptance. Board member Katy Sedney noted that not all important reports involve cost savings (affecting metric 2B). The board agreed to finalize the evaluation before December, likely after a meeting with Madigan. Chair Salem suggested using the first-year evaluation as a basis for future years, given Madigan's limited staff and an influx of over 50 complaints.

• Elections of Chair and Vice Chair: David Salem was nominated and re-elected as Chair, and Mitchell Stahm as Vice Chair, by unanimous voice vote with no objections. Salem highlighted ongoing work (office space, MPIA issues, performance evaluation) as reasons for continuity.

• Update on Inspector General Access to Records (MPIA): Chair Salem provided an update on the MPIA conflict. The Inspector General lacks direct access to records classified as mandatory non-disclosable (e.g., personnel records). A legislative fix at the state level is needed. A county council amendment to make the IG a co-custodian of records failed (only Councilwoman Walsh voted in favor). A data use agreement provides some access through custodians but is limited; one record was received with unexplained redactions. Board members expressed concern that the public voted for an IG but her hands are tied. Amanda Myhill (Law Department) and Baltimore County IG Isabel Cummings commented that the fix must come from the state legislature, and encouraged board members to educate residents and contact state delegates before the next session in January 2027.

• Other Business: Chair Salem announced that Deputy Inspector General Frank Lopez, a former Maryland State Police officer, has accepted a conditional offer and is expected to start mid-June. Madigan is also advertising for criminal investigators. Board member Steven Quisenberry submitted his resignation, effective June 5, 2026. The board thanked him for his contributions and presented a parting gift.

Key Outcomes

• David Salem and Mitchell Stahm were unanimously re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.
• The board directed that edits to policies and procedures be submitted by June 19, with a possible summer meeting to finalize.
• The performance evaluation will be discussed further with Inspector General Madigan, with a target to finalize before December 2026.
• The board will support efforts to amend the Maryland Public Information Act to grant the Inspector General direct access to all county records, including mandatory non-disclosable records.
• Frank Lopez was announced as the new Deputy Inspector General.
• Steven Quisenberry's resignation was accepted; the board expressed gratitude for his service.