At its first meeting today, the panel to select Baltimore County’s next inspector general moved rapidly into closed session, indicating that’s pretty much how it’s going to be doing its future work.

About 12 minutes after convening online, all five members voted to go offline, telling viewers they would be switching to another virtual meeting place that included only members and staff representing County Executive Kathy Klausmeier.

Voting “yes” to go into executive session were William Johnson, Kathleen Cox, Dennis King, Arthur Elkins and Thomas E. Dewberry.

They were guided to do so by County Attorney James Benjamin, who explained that, while the panel is a public body subject to the Maryland Public Information Act, its work could be kept secret because it falls under one of the act’s exceptions.

“Discussions of personnel matters is allowed to take place in closed session rather than in open session if it concerns one or more specific individuals,” Benjamin said. “As such, this panel as a public body is permitted to meet in closed session to discuss applications and the interviewing of applicants for the position of inspector general.”

The motion to close the meeting cited:

• Section 3305, B1, to discuss the appointment of an official over whom this public body has jurisdiction to review the 23 applications for the inspector general position.

• Section 3305, B7, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice concerning the confidentiality of hiring related documents and other specific legal matters.

The specific language of the motion was read by attorney Dennis King, the panel’s chair, who was selected today by a 5-0 vote.

Recommended Procedure

The selection panel was set up by Klausmeier after her controversial decision not to appoint Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan to a second term.

Good government groups and other critics said Madigan, the first person to serve in the newly created position, had been doing a good job and should not sidelined to appease those angered by her investigations into waste and corruption in county government.

Those investigations touched several key figures in the Johnny Olszewski administration, most recently his uncle Robert Olszewski.

Madigan has reapplied for the job, saying that she wants to continue building the office despite the headwinds of an administration that appears hostile to her work and independence.

• Go here for The Brew’s coverage of the IG controversy.

Klausmeier said all candidates, including Madigan, could apply for the position and would be scrutinized by a panel, which will now review the qualifications of the 23 people who applied.

Speeding through the public agenda today, King introduced Renee Coleman, director of human resources, who spelled out the panel’s task in more detail. (Amanda Conn, Klausmeier’s chief of staff, and Deputy Chief Valerie Roddy were also present.)

“Review the applications of individuals that have applied to be the Baltimore county inspector, determine which candidates to interview, interview selected candidates and recommend final candidates to send the county executive for consideration,” Coleman said.

She also noted the minimum qualifications for the job (a bachelor’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience) and advised panelists on how to proceed when they’ve reached the end of the process.

“It is encouraged from a procedural standpoint,” Coleman said, “to identify the top three to six candidates for submission to the county executive.”