Mission Statement

The mission of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is to promote the effectiveness and efficiency of programs and operations of County government and independent County agencies, prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in government activities, and propose ways to increase the legal, fiscal, and ethical accountability of County government and County-funded agencies.

Budget Overview

The total recommended FY22 Operating Budget for the Office of Inspector General is $2,091,455, an increase of $255,843 or 13.94 percent from the FY21 Approved Budget of $1,835,612. Personnel Costs comprise 94.75 percent of the budget for 13 full-time position(s) and no part-time position(s), and a total of 14.00 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 5.25 percent of the FY22 budget.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• Effective, Sustainable Government
• A Growing Economy
• Thriving Youth and Families

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable). The FY21 estimates reflect funding based on the FY21 approved budget. The FY22 and FY23 figures are performance targets based on the FY22 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY23.

Initiatives

• The OIG reviewed the Public Health Emergency Grants issued by Montgomery County in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. OIG assessed the resulting programs and agreements totaling $20.95M where the risk was high and opportunities for abuse were many. OIG issued a Bulletin to County leadership in October 2020 outlining enhancements that could be instituted to strengthen current and future County grant programs. By reviewing programs at their inception, the OIG can recommend impactful modifications and safeguarding measures to ensure the integrity of County programs.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Implemented an outreach program to help educate County Employees on how they can help the OIG to fight fraud, waste and abuse, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the programs and operations of the County government and independent County agencies. Outreach efforts resulted in a 92% increase in complaints received between FY19 and FY20.

• Implemented an Audit Division to conduct systematic risk-based rotating group by group review of the internal accounting and contracting processes and controls for Montgomery County Government departments.

• Expanded oversight by over $2 Billion to include Montgomery College, the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Board of Education, and Montgomery County Public Schools through passage of legislation.

• Acquired and implemented a critical case management system to support the work of the Audit Division by providing a platform for audit planning, project execution, and report distribution. The software is programmed to assure conformance with the generally accepted governmental auditing standards which is the standard the OIG is required to meet under county law.

Program Descriptions

  Inspector General

The Inspector General conducts independent audits, reviews, and investigations; receives and investigates credible complaints; reports possible violations of the law to law enforcement or another appropriate organization; notifies the County Council and County Executive of serious problems in programs; reviews legislation and regulations to strengthen controls and increase accountability; and...