Council work session exposes sharp disagreement over proposed OIG charter changes

Atlanta — City council and administration officials spent a two‑hour joint work session on Jan. 29 debating proposed changes to the city charter that would alter the Office of Inspector General’s powers and the oversight structure that governs it.

Inspector General Manigault, who led the OIG presentation, said the office has followed industry standards and rejected several allegations that prompted the legislation. “We’ve never collected or searched anyone’s personal property,” Manigault said, adding that some claims about OIG practices are “lies and misrepresentations” that need public rebuttal.

Why it matters: The substitute legislation under consideration would change how the OIG and a restored ethics board are constituted and how the OIG may use administrative tools such as subpoenas and access city…