Question A - Charter Amendment (CR107-2024)

Howard County voters will have the opportunity to vote For or Against Question A, on Election Day, November 5. Question A is a Charter Amendment (CR107) that was unanimously adopted by the County Council. Final approval of a Charter Amendment requires adoption by the County voters as a ballot measure.

Question A authorizes the County Council to create an Inspector General Office separate from the operational control of both the Executive and Legislative branches of the County Government. Question A also allows the County Council to appoint a Citizen Board and provides for legal and technical advisors if necessary.

An ordinance implementing the Office of the Inspector General and the Inspector General position will follow the adoption of the Charter Amendment as a ballot referendum in November. 

See the approved ballot verbiage below:

Howard County
Question A
Charter Amendment
Office of Inspector General

Amending the County Charter to create an independent Office of Inspector General to provide increased accountability and oversight of county government and county funded organizations. The Inspector General would investigate fraud, waste and abuse, and identify ways to promote efficiency, accountability, compliance and integrity. The office would do its work without interference from the County Executive and County Council. The office could hire legal, financial and technical advisors as needed. The Executive's proposed budget would have to include the funding requested by the Inspector General, and the Executive could not reorganize the office. The County Council would pass a law to specify the details of the office, including the appointment, removal and oversight of the Inspector General. The law may also provide for the use of a Council appointed board.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment