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Inspector General requests additional investigator for MCPS oversight as complaint volume rises
Summary
The Office of the Inspector General requested funding for an additional investigator to support education oversight; the office reported more than 300 complaints this fiscal year (about one-third related to MCPS) and said proactive audits and staffing are needed to meet statutory obligations and reduce risk.
Staff presented the County Executive's FY26 recommended increase for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), a proposed $482,243 (13.35%) change that includes an enhancement to add one investigator to the education oversight division.
Inspector General Ms. Lamarzi said the OIG has received more than 300 complaints so far in FY25, about a third related to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), and described the office's two primary functions: response to complaints and proactive reviews, audits and inspections. "The proactive reviews, our audits, our inspections'that's the vehicle that drives the change in this county," she told the committee.
Ms. Lamarzi and committee members discussed staffing levels, workload and the statutory mandate (referenced in the packet as Bill 11-19) that expanded OIG duties to include rotating reviews of internal accounting and contracting processes. Council members praised OIG work and agreed to add the staffing request to the reconciliation list so the full council could consider it alongside other high-priority items.
Next steps: OIG will return to the full council to explain the position request and anticipated impacts on MCPS oversight timelines; committee placed the position on reconciliation for full-council consideration.
