Inspector General Advisory Board closes open session to discuss inspector general appointment; schedules interviews and public notice

The Inspector General Advisory Board voted Sept. 25 to close its open meeting to discuss the appointment of the county’s inspector general, saying the discussion falls under the statutory exception for personnel matters.

Chair Salem moved that the meeting be closed “in accordance with Maryland Code General Provision Section three-three 0 five(one) to discuss the appointment and employment of one or more employees over whom this public body has jurisdiction,” and the motion was seconded and approved by roll call. Vice Chair Downs, Mr. Raschka, Ms. Sydney and Mr. Curry were recorded as voting in favor; the board then adjourned the open meeting and proceeded to a closed session.

The board also handled routine business: it moved to approve the minutes from the Sept. 18 meeting (the motion passed by voice vote) and confirmed the public hearing remains scheduled for Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. Isaiah, who provided the board’s procedural update, said the required public-notice advertisement will run twice this month and will also appear in the Howard Sun on Sunday, Oct. 5; the notice will also be posted on the board’s website.

Members discussed logistics for forthcoming candidate interviews connected to the inspector-general appointment process. Chair Salem said the board has moved its next regular meeting from Oct. 9 to Oct. 16 because of the interview schedule; Isaiah said two interviews are set for Oct. 6 (6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) and one is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m., and that he is following up with candidates to confirm availability.

No substantive discussion about candidates or personnel took place in open session. The board closed the public livestream before convening the closed session; Chair Salem said that after the closed session no further public business would take place and confirmed the next open meeting date as Oct. 16.