Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier defended her decision not to reappoint Inspector General Kelly Madigan and open the application process, a situation that has stirred conversations about possible politics at play.

During an event Wednesday in Towson, Klausmeier said Madigan has “done a great job” and that she was “working through the process.”

When asked why Klausmeier has said she didn’t know Madigan wanted the stay on the job, given the previous attempts to schedule a meeting with her, Klausmeier didn’t directly answer.

“I’m just saying she’s done a great job. I anticipated working with her. I also am waiting for the process to work its way through,” Klausmeier said.

Klausmeier was tapped to fill the position after Johnny Olszewski took a seat in Congress this year. In May, she informed Madigan, the county’s first inspector general, that her job would be posted within 48 hours and that she was welcome to reapply.

“I emailed her several times between February and March, never had a meeting, and then I got a meeting on Monday, May 12th,” Madigan explained during a previous interview with FOX45 News. “I went to that meeting, I told them about the office, answered the questions they had, and at the end of the meeting, they handed me a letter that my job would be posted in two days. I was very surprised.”

A selection panel has been created to review the 23 applications, including Madigan’s, that will make recommendations to the Baltimore County Council. The council will ultimately make the final decision, and the majority have said they support Madigan’s re-appointment.

“Not one of them have said to me, ‘why did you do it?’ So, what can I say — that’s the end. I don’t know what else to say. She’s done a great job. I’m working through the process,” Klausmeier said when asked why continue with the selection panel process when a majority of the council has indicated they will only support Madigan’s re-appointment.

Klausmeier reiterated Madigan has “done a great job,” but believes the county code required an open search for the next inspector general.

“Because the process said to me five years after that, you have to talk about it some more,” she said.

While speaking with FOX45 News previously, however, Madigan explained why she believed Klausmeier’s interpretation of the code was incorrect.

“The code very simply says that an inspector general may not serve more than two full terms and shall be subject to appointment for a second term in accordance with (section)A-1 and A-1, simply states (the inspector general is) appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by County Council,” Madigan explained.

“The code provision that they’re citing is (section) A-2, which is an open search, which is for a new candidate,” she continued. “So, certainly they could choose not to reappoint me for a second term and fall under (section) A-2. But I think their argument is that they’re required to fall under (section) A-2, which is just not true on a plain reading of the code.”

Meanwhile, Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka said he plans to introduce legislation in July to create an independent advisory board for the Office of Inspector General.

“Now it won’t really be effective for the current situation because it has to go to the voters because it’s a charter amendment, so that will take place in November of 2026, if my colleagues should form a supermajority to pass it,” Councilman Patoka said. “And then if there’s any future events like this, this independent authority would be the appointing authority for the Inspector General.”

A timeline for the selection panel to provide names for the council to consider has not been determined.

Have a news tip? Contact Mikenzie Frost at mbfrost@sbgtv.com.