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When the Montgomery County Council returns from a seven-week break Sept. 20, a top priority will be hiring a new inspector general.

Thomas Dagley, the county's current watchdog, announced last month that he will step down in December — when the next council can select his replacement.

However, County Council President Nancy M. Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park said that to keep the office filled, the current council likely will start searching for Dagley's replacement when it returns from break.

The term for the next council begins Dec. 6.

"I would like us to have someone ready to start in the position as soon as [Dagley] departs," Floreen said.

Dagley, the inspector general for the past five years, has had a tense relationship with County Executive Isiah Leggett's (D) office.

Dagley said his decision to leave before his term is complete will allow the next council to select a new inspector general.

Dagley told a council committee earlier this year about interferences by Leggett's office into his investigations, a claim that Leggett's office has denied.

Council attorney Michael Faden said the process of hiring a new inspector general has not yet begun. A nominating committee will be formed.

The committee that was involved in Dagley's hiring included inspectors general from major federal agencies, Faden said.

After the committee has made a recommendation, the council votes, Faden said. "The intention was to depoliticize the process as much as possible," he said.

The county's Office of the Inspector General was created in 1997 to detect and prevent fraud, waste and abuse in county government. The office's chief responsibilities are to review the efficiency and effectiveness of government and increase accountability.

Dagley, whose salary is $140,000 a year, said his work has affected more than $40 million in county funding decisions.

Councilman George L. Leventhal (D-At large) of Takoma Park said he's looking for a record of integrity in the county's next inspector general.

"We need to carefully check references," Leventhal said. "We need to know what the person has done in the past and that they have strong investigative skills."

Floreen said she was sorry to see Dagley leave.

"It is the nature of the beast, though, that there be tensions," Floreen said of Dagley's position. "I hope we can find someone of his character who can help us with oversight of county government."

Councilman Marc Elrich (D-At large) of Takoma Park said he would like to see the powers of the next inspector general expanded. Currently, the county's inspector general can request information from a county agency, but lacks subpoena power.

"He can say, ‘I want to talk to you,' but he cannot compel the testimony be truthful," Elrich said. "He cannot require that. I thought that was something that would benefit the office."

ecunningham@gazette.net