(a)    (1)    The Audit Committee of the Commission shall appoint the Inspector General.

(2)    (i)    The Audit Committee shall select the Inspector General solely on the basis of professional ability and personal integrity, without regard to political affiliation.

(ii)    The Inspector General shall be qualified professionally by experience or education in auditing, government operations, or financial management.

(b)    (1)    The term of the Inspector General is 4 years beginning on the date of appointment.

(2)    An individual may not serve as Inspector General for more than three terms.

(3)    The Inspector General may not participate in the merit system adopted by the Commission under Title 16, Subtitle 1 of this article, but:

(i)    may participate in any employee benefits program offered by the Commission on the same terms and conditions as it is offered generally to an employee participating in the merit system; and

(ii)    the Commission may offer to an individual appointed as Inspector General any supplemental employee benefit programs it determines are necessary to recruit and retain an employee who does not participate in the merit system.

(4)    The Commission may remove the Inspector General by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three of its members from each county for neglect of duty, malfeasance, conviction of a felony, or other good cause.

(5)    The Inspector General shall discharge the duties of office on a full–time basis and with no secondary employment of any nature during their term.

(c)    (1)    Subject to budget authorization, applicable law, and the personnel regulations of the Commission, the Inspector General may select as subordinate staff of the Office one or more:

(i)    temporary term employees who do not participate in the merit system adopted by the Commission under Title 16, Subtitle 1 of this article; and

(ii)    other employees who participate in the merit system.

(2)    Notwithstanding any provision of the personnel regulations to the contrary, an auditor, accountant, investigator, or similar professional employee appointed as subordinate staff of the Office shall be subject to dismissal by the Inspector General only for neglect of duty, malfeasance, conviction of a felony, or other good cause.

(d)    Subject to budget authorization and the applicable procurement regulations, the Inspector General may retain consultants by contract.