Kelly Madigan has served as the Inspector General for Baltimore County since the inception of the office in January 2020.

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

Baltimore County’s top government watchdog is calling it quits after nearly a year in limbo — and she isn’t staying idle for long.

Kelly Madigan, Baltimore County’s first-ever Inspector General, announced Monday that she is resigning, effective Jan. 2, 2026. She will take over as Howard County’s Inspector General on Jan. 5.

Madigan has been serving in a “holdover capacity” since January 2025 after her term was not renewed. In her letter to residents, Madigan said she could not continue indefinitely without the tools or support needed to carry out her mission.

“Continuing indefinitely in a holdover capacity was not sustainable for my family or the mission of independent oversight in Baltimore County,” Madigan wrote.

Madigan said the uncertainty surrounding the Office of the Inspector General — including the interim county executive’s decision to seek a new IG — pushed her to plan for her future and that of her family. 

She said she “struggled deeply” with the decision after receiving the offer from Howard County.

Serving as Baltimore County’s first Inspector General, Madigan led the office through six years of high-profile investigations and political turbulence. She repeatedly credited residents for keeping the office alive through public support.

“You supported the Office and made it clear that transparency and independent oversight matters in Baltimore County,” she wrote. “Your voices and support were powerful.”

To ensure continuity, Madigan appointed Deputy Inspector General Steven Quisenberry as Acting IG during the transition. She urged voters to support creating an Inspector General Selection Board, which will appear on the November 2026 ballot.

“This new role will allow me to continue meaningful oversight work with the independence, support, and stability necessary to serve the public fully and effectively,” Madigan said.

She ended her letter with a message to residents who fought to preserve the office she built from the ground up.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” she wrote. “Please continue to fight for independent oversight in Baltimore County.”