In November, Howard County voters will get the chance to amend the county charter to include an office of inspector general. The idea picked up steam last summer after a County Council member proposed it and many spoke in favor of the idea at a public hearing. Now the council is moving forward on two tracks, with the fall referendum and two pieces of legislation set to come before the council.

Here are four things to know about the inspector general question on the ballot:

What is an inspector general?

An inspector general is someone independent of politics who oversees county government, identifying and investigating possible fraud and illegal acts. County Council Vice Chair Liz Walsh said this is needed in Howard County, which has a $2.4 billion dollar budget this fiscal year.

“There are always opportunities to make improvements as far as efficiencies and best practices, but this watchdog, on behalf of all of us taxpayers, provides the added service of rooting out fraud and waste as well,” Walsh said.

Inspectors general field whistleblower complaints and conduct investigations dealing with abuse, financial and other fraud, and waste in government.

Isabel Cumming, Baltimore City’s inspector general since 2017, said she has received 830 complaints so far this year, showing the importance of her office. She said she fully supports Howard County’s efforts to create an OIG.

“Many times, groups are not independent when they do investigations involving either elected officials or certain government entities,” she said. “Having an inspector general gives the public an independent person to truly be their watchdog.”

Cumming, as well as Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan, testified in support of the measure at a July hearing of the Howard County Council.

Why is it on the ballot?

Walsh on introduced two bills on July 2 that would establish the office and create a group to appoint an inspector general, as well as make changes to the existing code that governs pay scales and whistleblower complaints.

The bills were backed by all five council members, as well as former County Executive Allan Kittleman.

After the proposal received an outpouring of support, the County Council decided to fast-track efforts to put the question on the November ballot rather than just write it into the county code.

“It’s more critical that when we make changes to that local Constitution that is the charter, that we have citizen buy-in … and now, it’s really up to the citizens to decide whether this is something that they want to see in their local government, and if so, then those changes are made to the charter,” Walsh said.

Cumming said that “the people of Howard County spoke firmly and decisively that they were very much in favor of this particular measure.” She said she was surprised by the turnout and enthusiasm of residents who attended the July hearing, and said it reflected well on Howard County.

In 2018, Baltimore City voters overwhelmingly decided to add the inspector general’s office to the charter, with Cumming commenting, never underestimate the people. The office was first created through an executive order by then-Mayor Martin O’Malley in 2005.

What will the ballot question say?

The questions will look the same on everyone’s ballot, no matter what district. The State Board of Elections posted sample ballots on Labor Day. Here’s what the question will say:

“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.”

Voters will have the option to vote for or against the charter amendment.

If the majority votes yes, when will the office be created?

The council tabled Walsh’s two original bills so the council could iron out the details and send the charter question to voters, she said. The council is expected to add the inspector general’s office to the county code in October.

She said that if the charter amendment passes in November, the council will start to appoint members — one for each council member — and County Executive Calvin Ball will appoint four members to the committee that will select an inspector general as early as January.

Ball said in a statement that he looks forward to collaborating with the council and residents. He praised the council for reaching bipartisan consensus.

“Our shared goals and focus remain the same: ensuring good governance, efficiency, and trust in our government while delivering an excellent quality of life for all who live, work, play, grow, and thrive in our community.”

Walsh said the vote is a win-win for everyone. “I’m not worried about this at all,” she said.

Editor’s note: This article is part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org.