Baltimore County nominee for inspector general not confirmed; incumbent remains in holdover role

The County Executive said Kadija Walker, Baltimore County’s nominee for inspector general, was not confirmed this evening and that the current inspector general, whose term expired in January, will remain in a holdover role until a successor qualifies or is reappointed and confirmed.

The County Executive said the selection process followed the county charter and included outside experts and a council appointee on the interview panel. "I am disappointed that Kadija Walker was not confirmed this evening as Baltimore County's next inspector general," he said. "Our open and thorough selection process not only followed the county charter, which was amended with unanimous support from the county council fewer than 2 years ago, but exceeded legal requirements by including well respected experts in the field and a council appointee to the interview panel. This public process led to the selection of miss Walker as the most experienced and qualified candidate to elevate Baltimore County's office of the inspector general."

He thanked Walker for her willingness to serve and praised her qualifications: "I am grateful for miss Walker's willingness to serve the residents of our county in this important position. And I am confident that her many years of high level experience, strong sense of ethics, and integrity will make an impact in her next role. I am also appreciative of her poise and grace during what has become a highly politicized process through no fault of her own."

The County Executive said he will not pursue another appointment before leaving office. "I was appointed by the county council to serve as county executive, and I remain focused on serving the remainder of my time in this office by supporting our dedicated employees, managing through difficult fiscal realities, and following through on community investments. 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," he said.

He clarified the immediate supervision of the office: "This means that the current inspector general will remain in a holdover role as her term expired in January and will continue in this role until either her successor qualifies or she is reappointed and confirmed." He added that the office will continue its oversight work: "The office will continue its work preventing waste, fraud, and abuse in county government without interruption."

The County Executive thanked applicants, panel members and community participants for taking part in the process and underscored the public nature of the review: "Thank you to all who dedicated their time and expertise to this process, including our impressive applicants, esteemed panel members, and my dedicated staff. Thanks also to the community members who made their voices heard. Freedom of speech truly is the bedrock of a democratic society that's moved forward together, focused on building a stronger future for everyone who calls Baltimore County home."