Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking applicants for the county’s new Inspector General Advisory Board, which will select the county’s first-ever inspector general to lead the agency.

The Howard County Council passed a bill Dec. 4 establishing a structure for the Office of the Inspector General that an overwhelming majority of voters approved on Election Day. Part of the structure includes the Inspector General Advisory Board, a seven-member body meant to oversee the independent agency.

“The Inspector General Advisory Board will play a pivotal role in ensuring the accountability and integrity of Howard County government,” Ball said in a news release. “By advising the new Office of the Inspector General, this board will help safeguard taxpayer dollars and promote transparency in government operations. I strongly encourage qualified residents to apply for this important position and help us uphold the highest standards of public service.”

The application can be found on the county’s website and is due Jan. 30.

To qualify for a board position, one must have relevant professional experience related to government accountability occupations, according to the release. A candidate may also have experience as a certified fraud examiner, certified public accountant or be a member of associations of inspectors general. Former judges and prosecutors would also be qualified.

Along with professional experience, candidates must also be available to attend twice-yearly board meetings with the inspector general and annual meetings with the County Council and county executive.

Each member of the five-person council and the county executive will nominate one candidate for the board, with the seventh member chosen by a council majority from a list of nominees compiled through a public process. The board must include one member from the Republican and Democratic parties as well as one member who is not affiliated with a political party. Members will serve staggered five-year terms.

The board will interview and hire the county’s first inspector general and review the OIG’s investigative work to advise the county executive and County Council and assess the OIG’s policies and procedures. The board will also review and make recommendations on the agency’s budget.

There are certain positions that if held in the past five years would render a candidate ineligible for the board, such as:

An employee, board member, commission member, elected official, candidate for public office or political central committee or anyone who would be under the purview of the OIG.

A county contractor or anyone negotiating a contract with the county

A vendor supplying, or looking to obtain certification for, goods and services to the county

A sibling, spouse, parent or child of an elected or appointed official

A lobbyist falling under the state or county public ethics law

An employee, staff member or officer for a political party organization at the local, state or federal level

Any “external recipient” or board member of an external recipient of county benefits, funds or services

Once an eligible applicant is approved by the county executive, the County Council must confirm the appointment.

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