Howard County reports IG candidate cleared; start date set for Jan. 5, 2026

Human Resources staff told the Howard County Inspector General Advisory Board on Nov. 18 that the top candidate for inspector general cleared background checks and reference checks and that the board may expect a final written offer with a start date of 01/05/2026.

Annie Koshy of Human Resources briefed the board: "All of the reference checks came back beautifully." She said references gave very positive comments about the candidate’s fitness for the position and that she confirmed the candidate remains in good standing with the state bar. Koshy noted a minor procedural snag in obtaining current-employer verification (some employers require a written request and signature) but said employment dates are a matter of public record and she would proceed with issuing the final offer letter.

Koshy also advised the board that the physical office for the IG is currently under construction and she has inquired about the construction timeline. "If it doesn't look like it's going to be completed before January 5, then we will find a suitable satellite location, for the candidate to set up shop until that location is ready to go," she said. The board expressed no objection to moving forward with the offer and asked staff to circulate the final offer letter and orientation information to the chair for board records.