No Performance Pay for IGs?

Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General Nikki Tinsley is leaving her post March 3, and it's worth noting the reason why. Government Computer News reported last week that Tinsley pointed the finger at the new Senior Executive Service pay-for-performance system. IGs can't get the higher salaries available under the system, Tinsley said, because only the head of an agency can evaluate an IG's performance, and that would represent a conflict of interest. Here's what Tinsley told President Bush in her resignation letter:

I fear the pay inequities that were created with the implementation of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2004 will make it increasingly difficult to convince career employees to accept IG appointments in the future. I hope your administration will work with Congress to address this issue and to encourage qualified career employees to serve as inspectors general in the future.