At a recent meeting of the Prince George’s County Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee, lawmakers debated CB-119, a bill that would establish an independent Office of the Inspector General with investigative powers, subpoena authority and public‑reporting requirements.

Supporters argue a dedicated watchdog is needed

Councilmember Jolene Ivey, one of the bill’s sponsors, said the county is one of the largest jurisdictions in Maryland and currently lacks a permanent, independent agency to monitor how public funds are spent. “Prince George’s County is one of the largest jurisdictions in Maryland, and right now, we don’t have a permanent independent watchdog looking at how public money is spent,” Ivey told the committee. “CB‑119 fixes that.”

Ivey added that the proposed office would not only target corruption but also address waste and mismanagement. “A government doesn’t need to be corrupt to waste money; it just needs to lack independent oversight,” she said.

Other advocates echoed the call for stronger accountability. Sherman Hardy, founder of Citizens for Accountability and Governance, said the county “desperately needs an inspector general with real independence, real authority, and real protection from political interference.” County resident and attorney Tanisha Brown noted that recent controversies have eroded public confidence in the fairness and transparency of county decision‑making.

Opponents raise concerns about overlap and cost

County officials cautioned that the new office could duplicate duties already performed by the Office of Audits and Investigations and the Office of Ethics and Accountability. Devan Martin, deputy chief of staff for governmental affairs in the Office of the County Executive, acknowledged the intent of the legislation but warned that “there’s not a true delineation of roles between what’s in the bill, the creation of a new entity, and then what the current entities will be doing.”

Martin also highlighted potential charter conflicts and the financial burden of establishing a new agency, urging the council to consider whether strengthening existing oversight bodies might be a more efficient solution.

Committee action and next steps

After a robust discussion, Ivey moved to advance the bill to the full council without a committee recommendation. No councilmember seconded the motion, so the committee took no formal action on CB‑119, leaving the proposal unresolved for now.

In a separate vote, the committee unanimously approved CB‑61, which changes how the county declares surplus property and transfers final disposition authority to the Office of Central Services.

Both bills reflect ongoing efforts to improve transparency and fiscal responsibility in Prince George’s County. As the council continues its oversight debate, residents and stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether a new inspector general office will be created or whether existing agencies will be bolstered to meet the county’s accountability needs.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.